Pujols slugs two 3-run homers, takes ball to face

As if he hadn't already done so for most of his illustrious 16-year career, Albert Pujols lived up to his "The Machine" moniker Tuesday in a very big way.

Pujols almost single-handedly beat the Rangers with a pair of three-run homers during the Angels' 8-6 win, and capped his monster night by shaking off a 92-mph fastball from right-hander Tony Barnette in the seventh that hit his helmet and appeared to clip him in the face.

Pujols remained in the game and went 3-for-3 with six RBIs to help the Angels stay unbeaten in five contests since the All-Star break.

Pujols' homers - one in the fourth, the other in the fifth - were the 578th and 579th of his career. He's now just five away from passing Mark McGwire (583) for 10th place on the all-time home run leaderboard. According to ESPN Stats & Info, it was the first time in Pujols' career he's hit two three-run homers in the same game.

(Videos courtesy: MLB.com)