Ball sticking to Molina not a rules violation, MLB says
Foreign substance question called ‘dumb’ by catcher.
Major League Baseball looked into the play where a ball stuck to the chest protector of St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina and determined there wasn’t any rules violation.
Molina said he had no idea what happened when a pitch bounced into his protector and clung to it Thursday against the Cubs. He later was asked if he put something sticky there and the Gold Glove star dismissed it as a “dumb question.”
Catchers sometimes dab pine tar on their shin guards to help give them a better grip on throws.
MLB Rule 3.01 prohibits players from intentionally discoloring or damaging balls with foreign substances, and the penalty is an ejection and 10-game suspension.
But simply having sandpaper, an emery board or some sticky agent on a player’s uniform or in his possession is only a violation for the pitcher.
Molina and most everyone else at Busch Stadium laughed at the bizarre sight, but the St. Louis star didn’t think it was so funny when asked if a foreign substance helped the thing cling.
“Did I put anything on my chest protector to stick?” Molina said. “That’s a dumb question.”
Whatever happened, it was the key play in the Cubs’ 6-4 win Thursday.
The Cardinals led 4-2 in the seventh inning when things turned kooky. Pinch hitter Matt Szczur led off by striking out on a pitch from Brett Cecil in the dirt. The ball bounced into Molina’s protector, and it stayed there.
“I don’t know if they’ve come out with Velcro on the protectors or it’s just a fuzzy baseball,” Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. “It was definitely Velcroed to his chest.”
As Molina frantically looked for the ball, Szczur headed toward first base.
“I just took off running,” Szczur said. “My first base coach told me it was stuck to his stomach.”
By the time Molina discovered the ball, Szczur was safe. The Gold Glove catcher could only smile and fans in sellout crowd roared.
“I haven’t seen that one before,” Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said.
Molina was certain about one thing. “That play changed everything,” he said. “If we get that first out, everything changes.”
It was scored a wild pitch. After a walk, Kyle Schwarber hit a three-run homer. The Cubs added another run later in the inning.
Pitcher Rich Hill went on the 10-day disabled list with a blister on the middle finger of his pitching hand. The 37-year-old lefthander spent more than a month on the DL last season while dealing with blisters on his fingers.
Hanley Ramirez and Mookie Betts were out of the lineup with a flu bug. Boston also put left-hander Robbie Ross on the 10-day disabled list because of the flu. The Red Sox also were without shortstop Xander Bogaerts and reliever Matt Barnes (bereavement).
Right-handed reliever Miguel Castro was acquired from Colorado for a player to be named or cash. The Rockies had designated Castro for assignment to make room for Kyle Freeland, who started their home opener.
Pitcher Junior Lopez was suspended for 25 games for violating baseball’s minor league drug policy.
Dodgers: Red Sox: Orioles: Pirates:
Rookie Yanni Gourde scored twice, Nikita Kucherov got his 40th of the season and Tampa Bay kept its playoff hopes alive with a victory. The Lightning need to win their final regular-season game Sunday against Buffalo and have Toronto and the Islanders lose to take the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Forward Kyle Okposo is showing signs of improving from an undisclosed illness, though there is no timetable yet as to when he might be released from the hospital, The Associated Press reports. Okposo has been undergoing a battery of tests at Buffalo General Hospital’s neurosurgical intensive care unit since Sunday.
Forward Nick Ritchie was suspended for two games without pay for roughing Blackhawks defenseman Michal Rozsival. Ritchie was given a match penalty.