Wainwright, reunited with Molina, hurls Cardinalss past Cubs 6-0

ST. LOUIS ( AP) — Adam Wainwright pitched seven spotless innings with longtime catcher Yadier Molina back behind the plate, and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Chicago Cubs 6- 0 on Tuesday night.

Paul Goldschmidt homered and drove in three runs to lead the St. Louis offense. Dylan Carlson, the subject of trade speculation before Tuesday's deadline, hit a two- run shot and made a nice catch in center field. Nolan Arenado also went deep.

"Anytime you can block out the noise, you can focus on the goal," said Carlson, now the team's regular center fielder after injured Harrison Bader was traded to the Yankees. "To be able to come to the park the same way is a good thing for me. I want to produce, contribute and help this team win."

Molina returned from knee inflammation that had sidelined him since June 16. Paired once again with Wainwright, the two 40year-olds teamed up to shut down Chicago.

"It's really good to see those two together and see Yadi back behind the plate," St. Louis manager Oliver Marmol said. "It's meaningful. Definitely a plus."

Wainwright (8-8) allowed six hits and struck out four in his 192nd career win.

"I had terrible stuff," Wainwright said. "Didn't have a fastball. Slider was kind of sloppy. Curveball was OK, thankfully. Changeup stinks. But we made it work."

Molina flashed his Gold Glove form by throwing out Rafael Ortega attempting to steal second in the first inning.

"It was a good throw. I set him up perfectly for that," Wainwright quipped. "I'm just kidding. I'm glad to have him back. He's the greatest catcher of our lifetime."

Wainwright and Molina made their 317th career start as batterymates, passing the Boston/Milwaukee Braves duo of Warren Spahn and Del Crandall for sole possession of second place in major league history since 1901. The only pair in front is Mickey Lolich and Bill Freehan (324) of the Detroit Tigers (1963-75).

Molina last caught Wainwright on June 11 against Cincinnati. Wainwright made eight starts without Molina behind the plate from June 17 to July 27, going 2-4 with a 3.93 ERA.

"I knew everything I missed about him," Wainwright said.

Molina caught his 153rd career shutout. That's second only to Yogi Berra (173) in MLB history.

Goldschmidt drove in two runs in the third with a single.

A three-run fifth put St. Louis up 5- 0. Carlson's homer came after Tommy Edman led off with a walk. With one out, Goldschmidt hit his 25th homer.

Arenado added his 20th home run with two outs in the seventh.