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Albert Pujols ties Ken Griffey Jr.'s all-time home run mark

By Alex Butler
Los Angeles Angels' Albert Pujols. Photo by Jim Bryant/UPI
Los Angeles Angels' Albert Pujols. Photo by Jim Bryant/UPI | License Photo

July 13 (UPI) -- Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Albert Pujols hit his 630th career home run against the Seattle Mariners, tying Ken Griffey Jr. on MLB's list of career home run leaders.

Pujols now sits at No. 6 all-time with the Mariners icon. He swatted two long balls in the Angels' 11-2 win against the Mariners Thursday at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, Calif.

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The Angels trailed 1-0 entering the bottom of the first inning. David Fletcher led off the frame by belting his first home run of the season to tie the score. Pujols came up later in the inning to face Mariners starter James Paxton.

He sent Paxton's first offering to center field for a 412-foot, two-run home run, bringing in Mike Trout to make the score 3-1.

The Angels led 5-1 entering the sixth inning. Justin Upton smacked a three-run homer as the Angels' fifth batter of the frame. Pujols followed Upton to the plate, where he would soon make history.

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The 10-time All-Star and three-time MVP stepped in against Mariners reliever Nick Rumbelow. The right hander tossed an 83.1-mph slider for a strike before Pujols obliterated his second offering. Pujols sent the 81.7-mph slider to left field for a 419-foot solo shot. The ball left the park at 104.4 mph, according to Statcast.

Pujols, 38, is hitting .251, with 16 home runs and 52 RBIs in 86 gamers this season. He went 3-for-4 with three RBIs, two runs scored and a walk in Thursday's victory.

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