ANAHEIM, Calif. — Los Angeles Angels slugger Albert Pujols passed Willie Mays for fifth place on the career home run list, hitting No. 661 on Friday night against Texas.
The 40-year-old Pujols connected for a solo homer with one out in the fifth inning. He sent Wes Benjamin‘s fastball on a 1-2 count over the wall in left field.
Pujols has hit five homers this season. He tied Mays last Sunday at Colorado.
It is only Pujols’ second home run since Aug. 4. He now trails only Barry Bonds (762), Hank Aaron (755), Babe Ruth (714) and Alex Rodriguez (696).
The Angels quickly congratulated Pujols on Twitter.
Congratulations, Albert. What an incredible accomplishment 🙌 pic.twitter.com/dxQObF7tI8
— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) September 19, 2020
Pujols has one more season left on his contract with the Angels after this year.
Benjamin was the 428th different pitcher Pujols homered against in his career. Only Bonds has homered against more (449).
The Associated Press contributed to this report.