Molina’s run with Cards over in ’22
The Cardinals announced that catcher Yadier Molina signed a one-year contract extension, reportedly worth $10 million, and that 2022 will be his final season with the team. Molina, 39, has spent his entire 18-year career with the Cards, winning nine Gold Glove Awards and two World Series titles (2006, 2011).
“We are pleased to announce that Yadi has agreed to cement his career legacy with the Cardinals for a final season in 2022,” president of baseball operations John Mozeliak said in a news release. “His experience, leadership, work ethic and winning desire are all part of what we value as an organization.”
Molina passed Albert Pujols this season to move into fourth on the list of Cardinals’ career hit leaders, behind Stan Musial, Lou Brock and Rogers Hornsby. His 2,080 career games behind the plate are the most for any catcher with just one team.
The Orioles fell to the visiting Angels 14-8 for the 19th consecutive loss. They are just two losses short of matching the franchise record (set in 1988) and are within striking distance of the modern-day record of 23 losses in a row, held by the 1961 Phillies.
Wandy Peralta retired Freddie Freeman with the bases loaded for the final out, and the Yankees held off the host Braves 5-4 to extend their longest winning streak since 1985 to 11 games.
Shortstop Francisco Lindor (right oblique strain) went 0-for-4 in his return to the Mets’ lineup after being on the injured list since July 17. The Mets lost 8-0 to the visiting Giants, whose catcher Buster Posey left the game with left knee discomfort.
Nelson Cruz returned from the COVID-19 list, played first base for the first time in his career and hit a tiebreaking two-run double in the eighth inning to lead the Rays to a 3-1 victory against the host Phillies.
Diamondbacks left-hander Caleb Smith was suspended 10 games and fined an undisclosed amount for having a foreign substance on his glove during a game Aug. 18 against the Phillies. He is the second pitcher, after the Mariners’ Hector Santiago, suspended since the new rule started June 21.