ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Los Angeles Angels slugger Albert Pujols has tied Mickey Mantle for 16th place on the all-time home run list.
Pujols hit his 536th homer to tie the New York Yankeesgreat in Tuesday's 8-2 win, hitting an opposite-field shot to right field on an 0-1 pitch fromTampa Bayright-hander Nathan Karns in the fifth inning.
"It's pretty special," Pujols said after the game. "Mickey's a legend. My goal is try to help this team to win. I'm glad I was able to do that."
"Every time Albert hits a home run, it's just fun to experience," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "It's a special time."
Pujols has eight homers in his past 11 games and 16 overall this season.
Mike Schmidt is in 15th place with 548 home runs.
Pujols broke a tie with George Brett for 15th place in extra-base hits by getting his 1,120th, a leadoff double in the third. Pujols scored onDavid Freese's double. His homer moved him within one extra-base hit of tying Manny Ramirez (1,122) for 14th place.
"Great player, future Hall of Famer," Rays manager Kevin Cash said. "Would prefer for him to go ahead and get out of Tampa."
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.