Pujols powers Cards over Brewers

MILWAUKEE, WI - Albert Pujols had a huge night, and the St. Louis Cardinals rode to a 12-3 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park Monday night.

The Cardinals first baseman collected five RBI’s, a homer, and three doubles. His home run was a two-run first-inning blast off Milwaukee starting pitcher Shaun Marcum, who had a rough night. Marcum allowed five runs over four innings pitched.

By winning Game Two on Milwaukee’s home turf, St. Louis essentially stole home-field advantage for the National League Championship Series.

The series is now tied at 1-1 and moves to St. Louis for Game Three Wednesday night.

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No contract extension for Pujols and Cardinals

First basemen Albert Pujols is entering his eleventh season as a St. Louis Cardinal … and now, it’s looking like it could be his last. 

The Cardinals and Pujols failed to come to terms for a contract extension, clearing the way for Pujols to become a free agent at the end of the year.

But, might there still be time to reach a deal?

Matthew Leach writes about the Cardinals for mlb.com. He says that Cardinals ownership may be waiting for Pujols to reach free agency in order to let the market establish itself.

"The team has been very tight-lipped and they haven’t actually divulged what their strategy is," Leach said. "But sort of reading tea leaves and sort of putting two and two together and trying to get a read on what’s going on here, I think there’s a distinct possibility that to some extent they are calling a bluff here. And they’re saying, 'If that’s what you think you can get, tell you what, find out if that’s what you can get.'"

Pujols, who is 31 years old, is reportedly looking for a 10-year deal that would make him the game’s highest-paid player. The Cardinals are leery of a contract that would keep Pujols through his 41st birthday. Few players in the testing era continue to perform at a high level after their mid-thirties.

Adam Allington, St. Louis Public Radio

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