"Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols continued a Memorial Day tradition Monday when he ripped two RBIs with a two-out, third-inning single and an eighth-inning home run.

Pujols' exploits came on the anniversary of his three-homer game against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. That performance helped turn a relatively halting start into a season that left him second in balloting for NL MVP.

Manager Tony La Russa knocked on wood for it to continue but also insisted that Pujols' production numbers — a .262 average, 30 RBIs and .329 on-base percentage among them — don't accurately reflect how he has swung the bat.

"He made the same contact he's made a lot. He crushed the ball (an estimated 421 feet) on the home run," the manager said.

In his 11 seasons Pujols has hit 10 home runs on May 30 and five on May 31. He is also batting .542 (19 for 35) on May 30.

Monday's home run was his first at Busch Stadium since April 23 and his 99th in six seasons at the stadium.

Pujols, among a number who left the clubhouse shortly after Monday's loss, was not available to reporters."