Wainwright, Molina reach milestone; Cards rip Brewers 15-4

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Adam Wainwright and Yadier Molina appreciated the magnitude of the career milestone they reached Friday night. They were more concerned about boosting the St. Louis Cardinals’ playoff hopes.

The longtime teammates formed St. Louis’ starting battery for a 300th time and played key roles in the Cardinals’ 15-4 blowout of the NL Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers.

“Just a great moment, just a great day for me and Waino,” Molina said. “We focused on winning the game. Obviously we know what this day meant for us ... but we were focused on the game, trying to win the game.”

Nolan Arenado hit two of the Cardinals’ season-high six homers, but the night belonged to Wainwright and Molina.

Wainwright carried a two-hit shutout into the sixth inning and even singled home Molina in the second inning. Molina delivered a grand slam in the ninth for his first homer since July 2.

“That's about as good as it gets, man," Cardinals manager Mike Shildt said. “Just magic. Way to commemorate an amazing, impressive milestone from two super-impressive Cardinals. Not enough superlatives to really do it justice."

Their 300 games together make Wainwright and Molina the fourth-most prolific battery of all time. The record is held by former Detroit teammates Mickey Lolich and Bill Freehan, who formed the Tigers’ starting battery for 324 games.

The Cardinals pulled within 1 1/2 games of Cincinnati for the second NL wild card after the Reds got blown out by Detroit 15-5. They're 11 1/2 games behind the Brewers.

“Every team, they know that if we get into the playoffs, we're a dangerous team,” Molina said.

Arenado drove a two-run shot in the first inning and went deep again in the third for his 28th and 29th of the season. Molina hit a grand slam, Harrison Bader had a three-run shot,...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Arenado-hits-2-of-Cards-6-HRs-in-15-4-blowout-of-16435222.php