Molina catches 5 innings, fans looking in Cardinals win over Braves 4-3
JUPITER, Fla. (AP) – Yadier Molina caught five innings and took three called strikes in his lone at-bat for the St. Louis Cardinals in a 4-3 victory over an Atlanta Braves split squad on Friday.
Braves starter Jhoulys Chacin had been unaware Molina, the last hitter he faced in throwing three scoreless innings, wouldn’t be putting up a fight.
Molina caught three innings but did not hit in his spring debut on Wednesday coming off thumb surgery. He hit against a machine earlier in the day but doesn’t expect to bat in a game for another week to 10 days.
The Cardinals stole six bases in seven attempts, including a double steal that led to a run. They lead the majors with 19 steals in 24 attempts.
Carlos Martinez gave up a run in two innings in his first spring start for St. Louis.
Reid Brignac hit a two-run homer for the Braves.
(Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
