Yadier Molina hit a three-run homer and Kyle Lohse pitched into the eighth inning to lead the St. Louis Cardinals past the slumping Miami Marlins 5-2 on Tuesday night for their fifth straight victory.

Molina may or may not be trying to send a message to baseball fans across the country, but they should take notice. Molina should be the starting NL catcher in Kansas City. They know him for his defense, perhaps outsiders will pay attention to his offense. Molina has homered in three straight games to give him 12 this season, two shy of his career best last year.

Lohse (7-2) allowed two runs and four hits while striking out four. He is 2-0 with a 1.84 ERA at the new Marlins Ballpark, after he got the Opening Day call.

Molina and the Cardinals jumped on Miami starter Carlos Zambrano, who came into the game with a career 16-8 record and an ERA under 3.50, but Miami is struggling having lost eight of nine and going 3-17 in their last 20 games.



Missourinet