Pujols passes Mays for 5th in extra-base hits in multi-milestone night

In the twilight of his career, Los Angeles Angels slugger Albert Pujols continues to make history.

The future Hall of Famer reached some more milestones Saturday as part of a 2-for-4 performance during the Angels' beatdown of the Boston Red Sox. Pujols capped a seven-run eighth inning by smacking his 20th home run of the season, a three-run opposite-field shot that opened up a 10-4 lead for the Halos.

That home run - No. 653 of his career - marked Pujols' 17th 20-homer campaign, tying Willie Mays and Frank Robinson for the third-most in history, according to Christopher Kamka of NBC Sports Chicago. Only Barry Bonds (19) and Hank Aaron (20) recorded more 20-homer seasons.

The dinger was also the 3,182nd hit of Pujols' career, moving him into a tie with Cal Ripken Jr. for 14th all time.

Earlier in the game, the slow-footed 39-year-old notched another important hit when he legged out a double to open the third inning.

That double was Pujols' 1,324th career extra-base hit and broke his tie with Mays for fifth place on baseball's all-time list.

Pujols is by far the active leader in extra-base hits. The closest player, Miguel Cabrera, is 259 behind him.

Though far from the feared slugger of his St. Louis Cardinals days, 2019 has been a season of redemption and milestones for Pujols. Earlier this season, he reached the 2,000-RBI mark and became the first player in history to record 650 career homers and doubles.

After Saturday, he sits seven homers behind Mays for fifth all time, and is one back of Nap Lajoie for seventh place in doubles.