The start was Morton’s seventh of his career and came at a time that he described as him “just trying to survive for a few years” in the majors. With 36 innings of big-league experience up to that point, the righty was tasked with facing a St. Louis lineup that featured Albert Pujols, who was in the midst of the second of three MVP seasons, and Yadier Molina, who batted .304 that year and would be named to seven consecutive All-Star games in the next seven seasons to follow.
“I just remember seeing Pujols step in the box and he had already done so much in the game,” Morton said.