RALLY CAT: MOLINA HITS SLAM TO BOOST CARDS AFTER FELINE SHOWS UP
LOUIS» Yadier Molina hit a grand slam ST. one pitch after a cat ran onto the field in the sixth inning, helping the Cardinals rally to beat the Royals 8-5 on Wednesday night.
The Cardinals loaded the bases off Royals relievers Brandon Maurer and Peter Moylan. Molina was at the plate, with two outs, when the cat came onto the field and ran toward the center field wall.
On the next pitch, Molina drilled his 14th homer of the season into the left field seats for his fifth career slam.
Melky Cabrera hit his 15th home run, a two-run shot, that had given the Royals a 5-4 lead in the fifth.
WEDNESDAY’S HIGHLIGHTS
Eduardo Nunez chased Jake Odorizzi when he lined a single off the pitcher’s foot, starting a five-run fifth inning for the Red Sox in an 8-2 victory over the Rays on that extended Boston’s winning streak to a season-high eight. … Ryan Zimmerman had four run-scoring hits, including two solo home runs, drove in five runs and became the franchise’s all-time RBI leader as the Nationals defeated the Marlins 10-1. … Madison Bumgarner allowed four hits over seven innings to win for the second time since returning from a dirt bike accident, helping the Giants defeat the Cubs 3-1 and complete a winning homestand for only the second time this season. … Martin Perez allowed three hits over eight innings, Joey Gallo hit his 32nd home run and the Rangers beat the Mets 5-1 for a two-game split. … After 10 seasons in the minors and playing in his first major league game, Cesar Puello singled in the go-ahead run and C.J. Cron added a tworun homer to lead the Angels to a 5-1 victory over the Orioles. … Nelson Cruz homered twice, Kyle Seager also went deep and the Mariners beat the Athletics 6-3 to complete a two-game sweep. … Justin Verlander allowed one hit over eight innings and the Tigers beat the Pirates 10-0. … Joey Votto extended his longest hitting streak of the season to 14 games, Stuart Turner hit his first major league homer, and the Reds beat the Padres 8-3. … Odubel Herrera continued to feast on Atlanta pitching by driving in a run with two triples in the Phillies’ 3-2 victory that completed their third series sweep of the Braves this season. … Tim Anderson homered and drove in three runs, Miguel Gonzalez tossed eight strong innings and the White Sox beat the Astros 7-1, their second straight win over the team with the best record in the AL. … Bartolo Colón pitched seven innings for his second consecutive win since joining the Twins, Brian Dozier added a home run, double and single and Minnesota beat the Brewers 4-0. … Todd Frazier homered and had three RBIs, Gary Sanchez and Didi Gregorius also went deep, and the Yankees overcame a shaky start by Masahiro Tanaka to beat the 11-5.
FOOTNOTES
Indians acquire Bruce from Mets.
Hours after putting All-Star Michael Brantley on the disabled list, the Indians acquired veteran outfielder Jay Bruce from the Mets for minor league pitcher Ryder Ryan. Bruce, who is hitting .256 with 29 homers and 75 RBIs for the Mets, will give Indians protection while Brantley recovers from an ankle injury. … The Twins have recalled first baseman Kennys Vargas from Triple-A Rochester to fill the roster spot created after starting pitcher Adalberto Mejia landed on the 10-day disabled list.