ST. LOUIS — Albert Pujols, the leading candidate to win the National League MVP, continued his annual awards spree Thursday night with the announcement that he had won the National League Silver Slugger award at first baseman. This is the second consecutive year that the St. Louis Cardinals first baseman has won the Silver Slugger, and it is the fifth Silver Slugger award of his career.

He won previously in 2008 at first base, 2004 at first base, 2003 in the outfield and 2001 at third base.

The Silver Slugger award — like its unofficial cousin, the Gold Glove — is presented to the best offensive player at each position in each league. The winners are decided by a vote of coaches and managers, similar to the Gold Glove.

This past season Pujols hit .327 and slugged .658 while adding 47 home runs, 135 RBIs and 124 runs scored. Pujols led the NL in runs scored and, for the first time in his career, home runs.

The other Silver Slugger winners are being announced this evening on MLB Network.

Last year, Pujols and outfielder Ryan Ludwick won Silver Slugger awards for the Cardinals.

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