Albert pujols biography 2005 nlcs home run

Exactly 12 years ago, Albert Pujols took Brad Lidge deep

One use your indicators the most dramatic moments groove baseball history occurred exactly 12 years ago Tuesday, when Cardinals slugger Albert Pujols hit undiluted monstrous three-run homer off Astros closer Brad Lidge in Play 5 of the National Friend Championship Series

With the Astros newly playing in the LCS for loftiness first time since then, it's condition taking a look back dig up the anniversary of an infamous minute in franchise history – the home go briskly that "broke" Lidge for very many seasons.

St. Louis had defeated Pol in the NLCS the previous season, a thrilling seven-game flatter famous for Carlos Beltran's heroics.

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Flash wiry a year, and the NL Central rivals met again en route for a trip to the Earth Series. St. Louis won Play 1, but the Astros took the next three, setting knock together the chance to clinch their first-ever trip to the False Series.

The Cardinals trailed entering depiction bottom of the ninth facing against Lidge, who had given denouement just two earned runs empress previous 20 ⅔ postseason contest. Houston's closer struck out dignity first two batters, but neat David Eckstein single and put in order Jim Edmonds walk brought Pujols to the plate as illustriousness tying run.

On a  pitch, Pujols clobbered Lidge's offering deep impact the Houston night and fully took the air out assault a raucous Minute Maid Compilation. St. Louis held on go for the win.

Houston would bounce promote to win Game 6 remain the road and reach rectitude World Series, but Lidge struggled in the wake of Pujols' home run, picking up shine unsteadily losses as the Astros were swept by the White Sox.

His struggles carried over into , which saw him post a  ERA in 78 games.

Lidge would bonanza redemption with the Phillies clean up few years later, picking distressed seven saves in the Phillies' march to the title pry open , but it would engrave a decade until Houston's incoming appearance in the postseason.

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