ANAHEIM, Calif._Albert Pujols, slowed for weeks by plantar fasciitis in his right foot, the same condition (but in the left foot) that ended his 2013 season in July, was asked if there was any chance he would shut himself down before the end of the season.
"For what?" the Angels slugger, clearly insulted by the question, said before Thursday night's 7-2 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays in Angel Stadium.
To take care of himself, he is told.
"I'll have plenty of time to take care of myself in the off-season," Pujols, 36, said. "This is my job. Just because we're out of it, I still want to play."
The Angels lost for the eighth time in nine games Thursday, Toronto catcher Russell Martin blowing the game open with a three-run homer off reliever Jose Valdez for a 5-0 lead in the sixth inning.
Left-hander J.A. Happ gave up two runs _ one earned _ and three hits in six innings to become the Blue Jays' first 19-game winner since Roy Halladay in 2008.
The Angels fell out of contention in June and into last place _ 23{ games back _ in the American League West on Thursday, but it is not in Pujols' DNA to raise a white flag on his or the team's season.
Which is why Pujols was in the cleanup spot again despite a one-for-24, six-game slump that dropped his average to .261 Wednesday. Pujols, who has played in 141 of 146 games, singled twice in four at-bats Thursday and has a team-high 29 homers and 110 runs batted in.
"I think in a situation where the risk gets to be overwhelming, we'll definitely have a conversation and back off, but Albert wants to play," Manager Mike Scioscia said. "That's what he's here for. He's a great role model for younger players."
Two of those young players, Mike Trout and Kole Calhoun, have been grinding alongside Pujols all season. Trout played in his 142nd game, and Calhoun his 144th game, Thursday.
Pujols, Trout and Calhoun are one of only eight trios of teammates who have played in 140 games or more this season.
"Right now," Pujols said, "we're doing whatever it takes to help this club win as many games as we can."
