Pujols ends home-run drought

The Angels’ Albert Pujols ended his career-long home-run drought Sunday, cracking a two-run home run into the Angels bullpen in left field in the fifth inning of Sunday’s game with the Toronto Blue Jays at Angel Stadium.

The home run came on a 2-2 pitch from Toronto right-hander Drew Hutchison. The crowd, which had booed Pujols when he struck out an inning earlier, came to its feet and gave the slugger a long, loud ovation, but Pujols did not acknowledge that with a curtain call.

Pujols received more cheers when he took his position at first base to start the sixth.

The home run was not only the first of the season and his first as an American Leaguer for Pujols, but it snapped a career-long drought of 27 games and 110 at-bats. His last regular-season home run came last Sept. 22 when he was still with St. Louis.

Pujols started Sunday batting .194 with five runs batted in.

The home run gave the Angels a 4-1 heading to the sixth inning of their game with the Blue Jays.