LOS ANGELES -- Albert Pujols hit a two-run homer, his first for the Los Angeles Dodgers, in the second inning of Thursday night's 3-2 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Pujols sent an 0-1 pitch from Merrill Kelly to right field, with Josh Reddick jumping to the top of the wall in an attempt to make the catch. Will Smith, who singled leading off, scored and Pujols was greeted by high-fives from his teammates in the dugout as the Dodgers led 2-0. They went on to win their fourth straight game and have won eight of their past nine.
Pujols was Smith's favorite player growing up. Smith called the moment "special."
"I'll remember being on base when he hit his first one as a Dodger and high-fiving when he touched home plate," Smith said. "I look at him as a teammate now, not really an idol.''
It was Pujols' 668th career home run, most among active players and fifth all-time, and followed 445 he hit for the St. Louis Cardinals and 222 for the Los Angeles Angels.
At 41 years, 124 days, Pujols is the oldest Dodgers player with a home run since Rickey Henderson homered for them at age 44 in 2003, according to ESPN Stats & Information research.
The hit was his 3,256th, breaking a tie with Eddie Murray for 13th on the all-time list.
"It felt great just to give our team an early lead right there in the bottom of the second. It's always great," Pujols said. "Thank god for giving me the opportunity to hit the ball the other way, hit it out of the ballpark and give an early lead to our ball club."
Pujols left the Angels and joined the Dodgers on a one-year deal Monday. In his first game that night, Pujols produced a run-scoring single in his second at-bat.
His arrival has coincided with the Dodgers' winning streak, but he claims no credit.
"These guys are a heck of a ballclub," he said. "Before I got there, this team is probably the best team in the major leagues. They know how to win. It's great to be here. I feel like home."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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