Pujols passes Griffey with home run No. 631

ANAHEIM -- Albert Pujols couldn't help but admire this one.
With his solo shot off right-hander James Shields in the second inning of the Angels' 11-3 win over the White Sox on Wednesday night, Pujols collected his 631st career home run, passing Ken Griffey Jr. for sole possession of sixth place on the all-time list.
"It's like every other week he's doing something, so I think we're kind of immune to it now," left-hander Tyler Skaggs said. "It's special, though. I grew up loving Ken Griffey Jr., so it's definitely a big milestone."
Pujols tied Griffey after homering twice against the Mariners on July 12, but his pursuit of history was interrupted by a brief stint on the disabled list. After missing six games with left knee inflammation, Pujols returned to the lineup on Monday and went 1-for-8 in his first two games against the White Sox.
But Wednesday proved to be more fruitful for the 38-year-old slugger. Pujols led off the second inning by hammering a first-pitch fastball from Shields and then pausing to watch as his milestone blast cleared the left-field fence to give the Angels a 2-0 lead. Pujols' 17th home run of the season traveled an estimated 430 feet, according to Statcast™, making it his longest shot of 2018.
Pujols added a pair of singles to finish 3-for-4 and also showed his savviness on the basepaths by swiping third base as part of a double steal in the fourth inning.

"It's crazy," said center fielder Mike Trout, who homered twice. "It seems like every hit or homer or double he's passing somebody. He probably passed somebody on that stolen base tonight, too. He puts that cape on every once in a while. It's pretty cool. It's fun to be a part of and it's fun to witness."

Pujols is unlikely to climb any more spots on the home run leaderboard this season, as he needs 29 more to tie Willie Mays (660) for fifth place.