St. Louis Cardinals Yadier Molina pumps his fist as he runs the bases after hitting a solo home run in the eighth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Busch Stadium in St. Louis on August 19, 2015. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI
With his eighth inning home run, Yadier Molina completed the Cardinals’ come-from-behind, 4-3 win over the San Francisco Giants at Busch Stadium on Wednesday night, wrapping up a nine-game homestand. The Cardinals keep a five game lead over Pittsburgh, with their 77th win of the season.
It was a special night for Molina.
Molina’s big homer off Hunter Strickland was Molina’s 4th of the year, but his 100th of his career.
Watch Molina’s game winner (MLB.com)
Molina gave a curtain call to the delight of the Busch Stadium crowd as the Cardinals won for the 16th time in their final at-bat of the season…twice against the Giants in this series.
St. Louis Cardinals Yadier Molina tips his cap to the crowd after a hitting a solo home run in the eighth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Busch Stadium in St. Louis on August 19, 2015. St. Louis won the game 4-3. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI
No doubt the home run was clutch and Yadi has certainly made a nice career out of coming away with the clutch hit when needed. However, he’ll always be remembered first for his defense and he proved again why he’s the best arm behind the plate, not only in all of baseball, but perhaps all-time.
With leadoff hitter Kelby Tomblinson on first in the top of the sixth of a 3-2 game, Tomblinson broke for second and Molina gunned down the speedy second baseman from his knees. It was a throw that got there well be Tomblinson could even extend towards the base.
Molina explains, it’s not something he plans for. He just reacts.