From one great hitter to another: After Albert Pujols joined former Yankee slugger Reggie Jackson as the only living players to hit three home runs in a World Series game in Game 3, he received a call from Mr. October.
Pujols hit his homers off three different Cardinal pitchers. He hit a three-run homer off Alexi Ogando, a two-run drive against Michael Gonzalez and a solo shot versus Darren Oliver.
Pujols matched the three-homer feat accomplished by Babe Ruth in 1926 and 1928, and by Jackson in 1977.
"It was real nice," Pujols said after speaking with Mr. October. "He was real humble. I just told him how blessed I was to be in the same list as him and Babe Ruth. He was really complimentary. I really appreciate for him to take the time. He didn't have to do that. But that tells you right there what kind of man he is."
A day later, Pujols was 0 for 4 Sunday night as the Cardinals managed just two hits and four balls out of the infield in a 4-0 loss to the Texas Rangers that left the World Series tied at two games apiece.
"I got some good pitches to hit. I missed it," Pujols said. "That's part of the game."
A night after piling up 16 runs and 15 hits, the Cardinals had their fewest in the Series since Boston's Jim Lonborg one-hit them in Game 2 in 1967.
Derek Holland pitched 8 1-3 innings and Neftali Feliz finished with hitless relief for the 19th Series two-hitter. The loss sent the Cardinals to the biggest Series one-game drop in runs since the 1936 Yankees beat the Giants 18-4 in Game 2 at the Polo Grounds, then won 2-1 at Yankee Stadium the next day.
"It was just a great performance," said Lance Berkman, who singled and doubled for both St. Louis hits. "That's why they say momentum is only as good as the next day's starting pitcher."
Based on reporting by the Associated Press.
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