ANAHEIM -- In Spring Training, the Angels tried to come up with a plan to keep
“He’s been our most consistent hitter the last 40-something games,” Angels manager Brad Ausmus said. “He’s had a really nice season, quite frankly. Not only does he drive in runs, he’s a very smart hitter. Today is an example that he still has power left in him.”\n\nPujols rarely plays first base three days in a row to stay fresh and served as designated hitter on Sunday, something that's helped keep him on the field this season. He was aggressive on the bases in the first inning, dropping in a bloop RBI double with one out and stealing third base on a pitch that saw Kole Calhoun draw a walk. Pujols then attempted to score on a sacrifice fly to left field and beat the throw, only to see Calhoun get thrown out at second before Pujols touched home.
Pujols helped make up for it in the fifth, when he smacked a three-run blast off Rays lefty Ryan Yarbrough. It was the 23rd homer of the year for Pujols, giving him his most in a season since 2016, when he hit 31.\n\nPujols has had a resurgent second half, hitting 10 homers while leading the team with 44 RBIs in 48 games. He's second on the team with 89 RBIs on the season, trailing only