SAINT LOUIS – Albert Pujols hit his 701st home run, Jack Flaherty allowed one run in six innings and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 2-1 on Friday.
Pujols, who hit a slider off Johan Oviedo, sent the ball 398 feet into left field in the fourth inning for his 22nd home run of the season.
In his first game against former teammate Oviedo, Pujols made him the 456th pitcher he has homered.
The Dominican hadn’t hit a home run in a week since hitting his 699th and 700th homers last Friday at Dodger Stadium.
Following a long standing ovation from the fans, Pujols emerged from the dugout and removed his helmet to greet the packed-out crowd.
Oviedo (4-3) allowed two runs and six hits, in addition to striking out four in six innings. The Cardinals traded him Aug. 1 to the Pirates with Cuban infielder Malcom Nunez.
In the operation, Colombian starter José Quintana and reliever Chris Stratton were sent to San Luis.
Flaherty (2-1) gave up four hits and two walks while striking out six in his fifth start since returning from a right shoulder injury that sidelined him for most of the season.
The right-hander increased his mark to 9-1 with a 2.60 ERA in 15 career starts against the Pirates.
Nolan Arenado put the Cardinals up in the fifth inning with an RBI single off Brendan Donovan after the ball fell near right fielder Jack Suwinski.
Ji Hwan Bae had the Pirates’ only run with a bunt single that beat Flaherty and scored Ben Gamel in the fourth.
Ryan Helsley pitched the ninth inning scoreless for his 19th save in 23 chances.
For the Cardinals, Albert Pujols 3-1, one run scored, one produced. The Venezuelan Juan Yepez 4-0. Puerto Rican Yadier Molina 3-0.
For the Pirates, the Dominican Oneil Cruz 3-0; Miguel Andújar 5-0 and Rodolfo Castro 3-1. The Venezuelan José Godoy 2-0.
