SAN DIEGO (AP) — Christian Villanueva heard the name and didn't need a translator to explain what it meant.
Villanueva hit his 15th home run to help the San Diego Padres beat the Miami Marlins 8-3 on Thursday night — and his long fly was a significant one.
Villanueva's homer total before June 1 is the most by a National League rookie since St. Louis' Albert Pujols hit 16 in 2001. His power surge has helped the Padres win three straight and four of their last six games.
"Albert Pujols is going to be a Hall of Famer, without a doubt," Villanueva said through an interpreter.