LOS ANGELES (AP) – The Dominican Albert pujols hit his first home run against his former team that set him free in May helping to Walker Buehler and the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Los Angeles Angels 8-2 on Sunday.
Cody Bellinger, the former NL MVP who has struggled this season, hit a home run for the second straight game, and the World Series champions won two of three Freeway Series games at Dodger Stadium.
Trea turner, in his second game as a starter and starting hitter with the Dodgers since acquiring him with Max scherzer In a trade with the Washington Nationals, he scored twice.
Pujols hit his two-run homer in the second inning as a pinch-hitter for Justin turner, who left the field with a sore left groin. Turner will see no action for several days, according to Dave Roberts.
The Dominican was somewhat in awe of his 418-foot hit and then had a jubilant celebration with his teammates in the cave. It was Pujols’ third career pinch homer and 14th of the season – nine in a Dodgers uniform – and the 676th of his exceptional career.
Pujols, 41, homered off rookie Reid Detmers (0-2) and put the Dodgers ahead 5-0.
“It’s the first time I’ve seen some of those players since the Angels released me,” Pujols said. “I still have a great relationship with 95% of them.”
Buehler (12-2) took the victory: he worked six controlled innings, in which he allowed one run, four hits and four walks, in addition to striking out eight.
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