HOUSTON — While neither side apparently had much to say publicly after the game about Albert Pujols’ slide into home plate that upended catcher J. R. Towles in the eighth inning of Tuesday’s game, one person felt the need to address is privately.

Pujols called the Astros’ clubhouse after the game to talk with Towles about the play, the young catcher told a few other reporters and me this evening. Pujols at first declined to discuss the play, but moments after batting practice confirmed that he apologized.

As far as Towles and he are concerned, the collision happened and was over. Move on.

“I already apologized,” Pujols said.

Others must disagree.

As the Cardinals began batting practice, Houston pitcher Brandon Backe yelled at Pujols from the Astros’ side of the diamond. Manager Cecil Cooper had to get between the two players, and teammates ushered Backe from the field. The Astros clubhouse closed immediately after Backe left the field.

“It’s apparent we don’t like each other,” Backe said later, “and that’s OK.”

He also called Pujols’ apology to Towles enough.

“Everything is said and done,” Backe said.

Shortly after things simmered on the Astros side of the field, manager Tony La Russa and Houston catcher Brad Ausmus spoke for awhile. Then Ausmus went up and carried on a lengthy conversation with Pujols at first base. The topic was clear: how much of the plate Towles allowed Pujols to slide to and whether or not Pujols had another route to the plate other than through Towles.

“There was no problem with the slide, and I am surprised that they have this kind of reaction,” La Russa said. ”That’s what I’m saying.”

It’s the same questions asked of La Russa before the game.

In the eighth inning, Pujols scored from first base on Troy Glaus’ double. Pujols’ slide went through Towles’ legs and knocked the catcher down before the ball arrived. That collision came a day after Towles had to go up the line to catch a ball and crashed into Glaus.

“I thought Albert did him a favor by just sliding to his legs out,” La Russa told the media earlier this afternoon. “The kid is not giving anything to slide at, so that’s what we teach to slide and take the legs not (not the body). He’s going to get blasted one of these days.”

In their conversation after the game, Towles said Pujols expressed that he didn’t see any of the plate to slide to. Towles saw it differently. Though he understood why Pujols called.

“I accepted his apology,” Towles said. “I gave him enough of the plate. … I give runners the plate to keep everybody from getting hurt.”

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