Rockies Get 5 Solo Homeruns But Still Lose 11-5

Rediscovering patience at the plate has helped Albert Pujols and his new team turn their season around.

Pujols homered and singled to drive in four runs, Mike Trout had three hits, including a two-run single, and Dan Haren pitched effectively into the sixth inning to lead the Los Angeles Angels to their eighth straight road win, 11-5 over the Colorado Rockies on Saturday.

Pujols went without a homer in his first month with the Angels, the team he joined in the offseason as a free agent with a $240 million, 10-year contract. Lately, though, he’s back to being one of the game’s most feared power hitters, the role he played so long in St. Louis.

His nine homers this season have all come in the last five weeks.

“I think I’m being patient,” Pujols said. “When we were going through that tough streak, I felt like I had to do extra, maybe chase a pitch out of the strike zone. Now, I’m able to take my walk, letting the guy in front of me or behind me do their job. And I’m taking what the other side gives you. That’s something I’ve done over the last six weeks and obviously, the numbers are looking a little bit better.”