Cardinals' Albert Pujols Joins MLB's 700 HR Club with 2 Homers vs. Dodgers

Albert Pujols became the fourth player in MLB history to hit 700 home runs after hitting two homers against the Dodgers on Friday.

Pujols hit a two-run shot in the third that gave the Redbirds a 2-0 lead.

The 22-year MLB veteran hit a Phil Bickford pitch over the wall for a three-run bomb that gave the Cards a five-run lead.

Pujols has become the seventh player in the history of baseball to reach 700 home runs.

Pujols, who is retiring after this season, has enjoyed a phenomenal ending to his career.

In 100 games, the three-time National League Most Valuable Player and 11-time All-Star has 19 home runs, 53RBI and an.825 OPS.

Before Friday's road game in L.A., he had mashed left-handed pitching to the tune of 12 homers and 28 runs scored.

Pujols insists that this is his last year in the bigs, even though he's enjoying a fantastic season and would theoretically have a chance at passing Ruth on the home run list.

Pujols told Bob Nightengale of USA Today last month that he's still going to retire even if he hits 700.

I don't pay attention to the numbers. I would have told you that you're insane if you told me that 22 years ago. My career has gone well.

Pujols has 10 more regular-season games after Friday to reach his career total, and he did hit the 700- home run mark. There are two more games against the Dodgers before the Cards play the Brewers and Pirates.

The first 10 years of Pujols' career were spent with the Cards. He had a.331 batting average and 41 home runs in 161 games from 2001 to 2010.

Pujols left St. Louis in free agency to join the Angels.

He didn't enjoy the same success out west, but the first baseman stayed productive through the back half of his career and was able to return to St. Louis for one of the greatest closing acts in baseball history.

The book on Pujols' career is still open.

The two-time World Series champion should have one more act in the playoffs, as the St. Louis hold a seven-game lead over the Milwaukee Brewers for the NL Central crown. Albert Pujols' power gives the Cards a chance to win the World Series.