Indians can’t figure out — or get out —Pujols

CLEVELAND (AP) — Albert Pujols has made a habit of feasting on the American League.

Pujols, whose .355 career interleague average is the best in 13 years of play between baseball’s two leagues, hit two home runs and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Cleveland Indians 3-1 on Saturday.

“I just use same game plan as in the NL and if it doesn’t work, then I try to figure it out,” Pujols said.

After striking out in the first inning against Tomo Ohka, (0-1), Pujols adjusted quickly.

His 27th multi-homer game and fourth this season helped Brad Thompson (1-2) get his first win since St. Louis’ final game in 2008.

Pujols’ first homer of the game was his 1,600th hit in 1,301 career games. The 396-foot line drive over the wall in left-center put St. Louis ahead 1-0 in the fourth inning.

“He’s a special player,” Cleveland manager Eric Wedge said. “He’s probably the best hitter in the game right now. That’s not something you say very lightly.”

The slugger then hit his 22nd homer in the sixth, a 435-foot shot deep into the seats in left-center for a 2-1 lead. Pujols is hitting .529 (9-for-17) with three homers and five RBIs against Ohka. He had not faced him since 2006, when the right-hander was with Milwaukee.

“I don’t go on video or what I did in the past,” Pujols. “I work off my first at bat. I think about what I need to adjust.”

Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said Pujols’ brain is as much a factor in his interleague success as his brawn.

“It’s an example of how smart he is and how much he studies,” La Russa said of the 2005 and 2008 NL MVP. “He always has a plan when he goes up there.”

The reigning NL MVP also homered Friday night and is 7-for-16 with six RBIs in his last four games after breaking an 0-for-14 streak. Six of those hits have been home runs.

“I don’t believe in luck, but I guess I’m getting some breaks,” Pujols said. “Before that, I hit some balls hard and said, ‘Wow, I can’t catch a break.’ ”

Ryan Franklin, the Cardinals’ fifth pitcher, worked the ninth for his 15th save in 16 chances.

Thompson held the Indians hitless until Victor Martinez tied it at 1 with an RBI single in the fourth. Jamey Carroll reached on an error by shortstop Brendan Ryan and Mark DeRosa walked before Martinez grounded a single between first and second, scoring Carroll and sending DeRosa to third with none out.

Martinez was tagged out in a rundown after straying too far off first on a pitch in the dirt that was blocked by catcher Yadier Molina. Thompson then struck out Shin-Soo Choo and Jhonny Peralta.

“I didn’t try to strike out those guys, but it happened,” Thompson said. “I had a good sinker and went with it. I can throw it with confidence with Yadier back there. He’s the best defensive catcher in the game.”