Molina hurt in Cardinals’ win
Addison Russell’s fly ball in the eighth inning Sunday might be the most important play in baseball so far this year.
St. Louis star catcher Yadier Molina suffered a sprained left thumb on the play as the Cubs ran themselves out of late scoring chances and the Cardinals ended Chicago’s five-game winning streak and avoided a sweep with a 4-3 win Sunday.
The Cardinals moved six games ahead of Chicago in the NL Central. The Pirates beat the Dodgers on Sunday to remain four games behind St. Louis.
Molina was injured tagging out Anthony Rizzo on Russell’s sacrifice-fly attempt in the eighth. Right fielder Jason Heyward had the assist, throwing out Rizzo on the no-out, bases-loaded fly for a double play.
Molina said he’ll have an MRI on the thumb Monday.
“I’m concerned,” manager Mike Matheny said. “We’re anxious to hear what the doctor is going to report.”
Matheny went out to talk to Molina after the play, but Molina remained in the game for the remainder of the half inning before being replaced for pinch-hitter Matt Adams the next inning.
“It hurts (gripping the bat) a little bit,” Molina said. “I just couldn’t grip it.”
The Cubs ran into another out in the ninth. Starlin Castro led off with a single, but pinch-runner Quintin Berry was thrown out trying to steal second by Molina’s replacement, Tony Cruz.
Trevor Rosenthal then struck out Jorge Soler and got Kyle Schwarber to ground out for his 46th save in 48 chances.
Despite falling short in this one, the Cubs won four of their final six regular-season games against the Cardinals.
“I could not be more proud of our guys,” manager Joe Maddon said. “It’s obvious we’re playing on the same level as they are right now.”
St. Louis became the first team to clinch a postseason berth its fifth straight on Saturday when San Francisco lost.
The Cubs are comfortably ahead of the Giants for the final wild-card spot. And if they advance in the postseason, there’s a good chance they’ll face the Cardinals at some point.
“Obviously, the ultimate goal is through them,” Cubs starter Jon Lester said.
Carlos Martinez (14-7) pitched four-hit ball into the seventh and allowed two runs. Rookies Tommy Pham and Stephen Piscotty homered.
Seattle 9, Texas 2: Felix Hernandez became the American League’s first 18-game winner, Robinson Cano drove in four runs and Seattle beat AL West-leading Texas, 9-1.
Texas’ division lead was trimmed to 1 1/2 games over second-place Houston.
Houston 5, Oakland 1: Colby Rasmus homered twice and George Springer added a two-run shot to back a solid start by Collin McHugh and help Houston beat Oakland, 5-1.
Boston 4, Toronto 3: The AL East-leading Toronto Blue Jays lost their grip in the eighth inning, and Boston broke ahead on a sacrifice fly by Jackie Bradley Jr., to take a 4-3 victory.
Toronto began the day with a 3-game lead over the New York Yankees.
Minnesota 8, L.A. Angels 1: Rookie Tyler Duffey pitched seven shutout innings, Eddie Rosario and Joe Mauer hit two-run homers, and Minnesota pulled even with Los Angeles in the AL wild-card race with an 8-1 victory..
The teams are two games behind Houston for the second wild card.
Cleveland 6, Chicago White Sox 3: Josh Tomlin pitched 5 2/3 scoreless innings, Lonnie Chisenhall homered and drove in three runs, and Cleveland defeated Chicago, 6-3. Cleveland stayed four games behind Houston for the AL’s second wild card.
Kansas City 10, Detroit 3: Kendrys Morales hit three home runs and a triple, setting a team record with 15 total bases as Kansas City beat Detroit, 10-3, to avoid a three-game sweep. Morales hit three solo shots and scored five runs.
Tampa Bay 7, Baltimore 6: Pinch-hitter Brandon Guyer led off the ninth inning with a tying homer and Kevin Kiermaier beat out a two-out single for the winning run as Tampa Bay rallied past Baltimore, 7-6.
Washington 13, Miami 3: Stephen Strasburg struck out 10 in an encore to one of the best starts of his career, and Yunel Escobar had four hits and four RBI as Washington beat Miami, 13-3.
San Francisco 5, Arizona 1: Buster Posey hit a three-run homer and Tim Hudson (8-8) allowed four hits in six scoreless innings, improving to 11-2 against Arizona after a 5-1 win.