Pujols returns to lineup as Halos' DH in finale

ANAHEIM -- Albert Pujols was back in the Angels' lineup Sunday night after missing Saturday's game with a sore back.

Pujols batted third as the designated hitter, with rookie C.J. Cron manning first base. Angels manager Mike Scioscia said the DH role was just a precaution for Pujols.

"Just ease him back in," Scioscia said. "He feels good swinging, and it'll just help him from having to stand out there and move around, and hopefully, just get him to get over that stiffness he had a couple days ago."

Pujols left Friday's game in the top of the sixth inning. He entered Sunday with multihit games in four of his last eight games, with nine RBIs over that span.