ST. LOUIS (AP) — Albert Pujols was batting cleanup instead of his accustomed No. 3 spot for the first time in nearly seven seasons for the St. Louis Cardinals’ first game since dropping out of the NL Central lead.
Matt Holliday moved up to third against the Washington Nationals, switching spots with Pujols. The Cardinals had lost nine of 12 and were not in first place for the first time since July 30, 2009.
The last time Pujols didn’t bat third for the Cardinals was May 30, 2003, a string of 1,046 games. Eduardo Perez batted third and Pujols fourth that day against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The Cardinals also activated Felipe Lopez (elbow strain) from the 15-day disabled list and had him batting leadoff.
Pujols was making his 235th career start batting cleanup.
