Brendan Donovan gets Encouragement

Albert Pujols gives Brendan Donovan words of encouragement

Even as he enters the final months of his MLB career,

[{"selector":"#anim-31cdc8e0-8ee6-4cc7-accc-9bcb720fc9de [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-31.254687386254172%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}]

Even then Albert Pujols has continued to do so in its entirety.

[{"selector":"#anim-40afdfd2-4874-4d0d-967f-a27378bb05dd [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-29.273343247725425%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}]

The St. Louis Cardinals legend put on a stellar performance against the Colorado Rockies.

[{"selector":"#anim-fc44bf6f-6af6-4874-bd31-0bb498ac1dcf [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-29.36767565605386%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}]

Pujols base loaded and on the mound during the third innings

[{"selector":"#anim-6df82000-9f85-45fe-88d0-c5e022ffbcb7 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(33.74187488616884%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}]

Lefty Austin came in with Gomber as the pinch hitter.

[{"selector":"#anim-c9342219-1884-41f4-a659-ba362f480a81 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(39.05395496426186%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}]

Pujol, 42, responded with a Grand Slam in left field to break the game open.

[{"selector":"#anim-ee312241-d94d-41e6-9a41-82996999596e [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-30.213622926812032%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}]

After the game, which St. Louis won 13-0, Donovan revealed

[{"selector":"#anim-3381d2f7-1def-4df9-8339-93babcd4c2a1 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-29.38629505563973%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}]

That Pujol had made a great gesture for him in the dugout after the Grand Slam.

[{"selector":"#anim-30463bd1-4e08-451a-ab7a-b72443c32f03 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-34.531249906136225%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}]

Donovan said that three-time MVP Pujols approached him almost apologizingly,

[{"selector":"#anim-b749d080-48f3-4276-87ee-549ad3292ce8 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-29.91171862810509%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}]

and assured Donovan that the Cardinals still believed in him.

[{"selector":"#anim-6594f568-df83-4031-8432-b3eaefec62e4 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-31.249999886225726%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}]

Infielder Donovan, 25, is having a good rookie year,

[{"selector":"#anim-69bd50b7-1b01-4feb-b2f7-ce516005c968 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-31.254687386254172%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}]

The Cardinals chased Rockies starter Antonio Senzatella in the second inning,

[{"selector":"#anim-eb422f09-0793-41b5-8a6c-5bd55bc7cc48 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-29.36767565605386%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}]

Wanted to avoid the big-spot lefty-lefty matchup between Gomber and Donovan.

[{"selector":"#anim-7ce4b812-753d-4b7e-8b67-c890443b47ca [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-35.409374886168834%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}]