Anahim, Caliph. – Albert Pujols It takes about five weeks to link Willie Mays to fifth on the career home run list. It took five days for the Los Angeles slugger to pass.

Pujols, who finished 661 in the fifth inning against the Texas Rangers on Friday night, missed the tie with Mays.

“Whenever that happens, I know it’s going to be this year or next year,” he said. “I certainly hadn’t thought about trying to hit one. It happened tonight. Look how good it was. I got not only one, but two nights.”

Pujol was quickly praised by the angels on Twitter.

Congratulations, Albert. What an incredible achievement pic.twitter.com/dxQObF7tI8

– Los Angeles Angels (Angels) September 19, 2020

Pujols, 40, is now behind Barry Bonds (762), Hank Aaron (755), Babe Ruth (714) and Alex Rodriguez (696).

Pujols said he received a text and email from Mays after being tied up in the Hall of Fame in Colorado on Sunday. Pujols added that he did not check his phone after Friday’s game to see how many congratulatory messages he received.

“It’s very special when you talk about Willie Mays. What he did on the field was amazing,” Pujols said. “He’s a legend, he’s handsome, he knows how to give good advice.”

Pujols has scored just four home runs this season before posting the 60th multi-HR game of his career, having been in Baltimore since May 11 last year. He finished the night with three hits.

Pujols passed Mays to the left with a solo drive. Pujols sent 1-2 fastballs Wes Benjamin To the Rangers’ bullpen. Pujols pointed to the dugout and pumped a fist as he approached the third floor.

After the Rangers lined up to go 3-2, the Pujols finished seventh at 662. DeMarcus Evans To the Bulben of the Angels to extend the lead.

“I mean, I know he’s not really a home run editor,” Benjamin said before laughing. “I threw a pitch I didn’t want to throw. I need a fastball there. It jumped into some kind of zone and got it ready.”

Pujols went left 330 times in his career, leaving 362 bases empty. He said Mays was likely to keep the bat he used to pass and the ball was recovered.

Pujols, who has one more season left on his contract with the Angels later this year, has 108 home runs at Angel Stadium, just three behind the 111 he scored at the new Bush Stadium, which opened in 2006.

Manager Joe Madden said the only thing missing was the presence of fans on the stand to greet Pujol as he reached the milestone. The ballpark on Friday night was louder than usual, and there was some fun, but a drive-in concert was held in a parking lot nearby.

“It’s clear he has a high level of satisfaction, but he missed the chance to get the compliment that people are screaming from the rafters,” Madden said. “It simply came to our notice then. This is another part of it all. It makes things different, but people respond well, and Albert usually handles it well. ” ‘

In 11 seasons in St. Louis, the MVP and 10-time All-Star have done his long-ball damage, scoring 445 runs before signing with the Angels after the 2011 season.

He had six 40 or more HR seasons with the Cardinals, hitting 49 homers in 2006 and scoring a career-high 137 runs.

“He’s such a good baseball player,” Madden said. “Yeah, he’s playing home runs. We do not see this in his youth, but this guy has played this game, and so has anyone else.”

Benjamin was the 427th different pitcher of his career, and Evans made his MLB debut in the 428th two innings. Only bonds (449) did more Homer.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.