Pujols hits home run No. 695; Cardinals sweep the Cubs

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (KMIZ)

The St. Louis Cardinals are now eight and a half games ahead of the Milwaukee Brewers in the central division thanks to a series sweep over the Cubs on Labor Day weekend. Sunday's win came at the hands of a pinch hit, two run homer from Albert Pujols.

The home run was the 42-year-old's 695th career home run, meaning he needs just five more to hit the 700 club. Pujols is now just one homer shy of tying former Yankee Alex Rodriguez's record for fourth most all time.

The game was scoreless all the way until the eighth inning. Shortstop Tommy Edman got on base and skipper Oli Marmol sent Pujols in to pinch hit. Chicago decided to pitch to him and on the second pitch of the at-bat Pujols knocked it out of the park to give St. Louis the two-run lead.

There is one more month left in the regular season, so there is still time for Pujols to become just the fourth player to reach 700 home runs in MLB history.

Miles Mikolas pitched lights out for the Cardinals on Sunday. He eight scoreless innings, allowing just two hits with three strikeouts.

Up next - St. Louis will host the Washington Nationals on Monday at 3:15 p.m.