Pujols to get more time to achieve goals
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
09/18/2007
Manager Tony La Russa will continue to play first baseman Albert Pujols as he attempts a seventh straight season with 100 RBIs, 30 home runs, a .300 average and 100 runs.
Pujols enters tonight’s game hitting .321 with 31 home runs, 95 RBIs and 93 runs. Pujols has been slowed by right hamstring strain that has cut his power and affected his running. Pujols recently snapped a string of 75 at-bats without a home run. He had scored six runs in 15 games before Monday.
“I think as long as you’re careful and paying attention to what’s happening with an individual on your ballclub, that one is historic,” La Russa said. “If you get (Edmonds) hot, that would help.”
Pujols entered Tuesday with six RBIs in his past nine games and is 16 for 43 with 10 RBIs in his past 12 games. Pujols has one home run since Aug. 22.
Also through Monday, Pujols had walked 12 times in September without a strikeout. Although Pujols is the only player in major league history to begin a career with six consecutive .300-100-30-100 seasons, he has yet to walk 100 times. He entered Tuesday with 93.