NATIONAL LEAGUE

Molina homers for 3rd game in row, lifts Cards

— MIAMI - Yadier Molina is keeping things simple and his approach is working.

The All-Star catcher hit a threerun home run and Kyle Lohse pitched into the eighth inning to lead the St. Louis Cardinals past the staggering Miami Marlins 5-2 on Tuesday night for their fifth consecutive victory.

Molina has homered in three consecutive games to give him 12 this season, two shy of his career best set last year.

“I’m just trying to hit the ball, that’s it,” Molina said. “Seeing the ball and trying to hit the ball. It’s that simple.”

Molina’s two-run shot with two outs in the ninth Monday night offMiami closer Heath Bell capped a four-run inning, and St. Louis went on to win 8-7 in 10 innings.

“He’s amazing,” Lohse said.

Cardinals Manager Mike Matheny, a former catcher himself, also is impressed by Molina.

“He continues to just improve, which seems hard for a guy - and I’ve never been shy in saying, I think he is the best in the game,” Matheny said.

Lohse (7-2) allowed 2 runs and 4 hits while striking out 4. He is 2-0 with a 1.84 ERA at the new Marlins Ballpark.

“It’s only two starts, but you have certain parks where you feel comfortable in and this happens to be one so far,” Lohse said.

REDS 4, BREWERS 3

Bronson Arroyo took a no-hitter into the eighth inning before giving up a three-run lead, but Drew Stubbs led off the bottom half with a home run, sending hostCincinnati past Milwaukee.

BRAVES 8, DIAMONDBACKS 1

Tim Hudson pitched eight sharp innings and Atlanta opened its longest homestand of the season with a victory over Arizona. Hudson (6-3) allowed 1run and 7 hits, struck out 7 and walked 1.

PHILLIES 5, PIRATES 4

Ty Wigginton and Carlos Ruiz homered to back Vance Worley (4-4) and host Philadelphia won its second consecutive to climb out of last place in the NL East.

ASTROS 5, PADRES 3

J.D. Martinez hit a two-run home run, Jed Lowrie also homered and host Houston held on to beat San Diego.

CUBS 5, METS 3

Anthony Rizzo had two hits and drove in the go-ahead run in his first game with host Chicago, who rallied past New York. Rizzo was called up earlier in the day after posting big numbers for Class AAA Iowa.

NATIONALS 12, ROCKIES 5

Adam La-Roche homered twice, Ryan Zimmerman collected his 1,000th career hit and also homered, and Washington routed host Colorado.

American League ANGELS 7, ORIOLES 3

Albert Pujols homered in his Camden Yards debut, C.J. Wilson (9-4) allowed one run in seven innings and Los Angeles had a season-high 17 hits in a victory over Baltimore. Peter Bourjos, Mark Trumbo and John Hester also homered for the Angels.

YANKEES 6, INDIANS 4

Phil Hughes bounced back from a rough outing to pitch eight scoreless innings and Alex Rodriguez hit a long home run as host New York topped Cleveland. Hughes (8-6) gave up six hits and a walk to win for the fifth time in six decisions. He lasted only 41/3 innings in his previous start.

RED SOX 5, BLUE JAYS 1

Jarrod Saltalamacchia hit a tying home run with two outs in the seventh inning and host Boston rallied to beat Toronto.

ROYALS 8, RAYS 2

Bruce Chen (7-6) went seven innings and Jeff Francoeur and Yuniesky Betancourt homered for host Kansas City, which scored eight runs for the third conscutive game.

RANGERS 7, TIGERS 5

Yu Darvish (10-4) struck out 10 in seven innings as Texas topped Detroit. Drew Smyly (Little Rock Central, Arkansas Razorbacks) allowed 6 runs and 8 hits over 42/3 innings in his return from the disabled list.

WHITE SOX 3, TWINS 2

Gavin Floyd (6-7) finally solved host Minnesota with nine strikeouts in seven shutout innings and Alex Rios homered to help Chicago top the Twins. Floyd beat the Twins for just the fifth time in 17 career starts.

Tuesday’s games NATIONAL LEAGUE

Philadelphia 5, Pittsburgh 4 Atlanta 8, Arizona 1 Cincinnati 4, Milwaukee 3 St. Louis 5, Miami 2 Chicago Cubs 5, NY Mets 3 Houston 5, San Diego 3 Washington 12, Colorado 5 LA Dodgers at San Francisco, (n)

AMERICAN LEAGUE

NY Yankees 6, Cleveland 4 LA Angels 7, Baltimore 3 Boston 5, Toronto 1 Texas 7, Detroit 5 Chicago White Sox 3, Minnesota 2 Kansas City 8, Tampa Bay 2 Oakland at Seattle, (n)

Sports, Pages 22 on 06/27/2012

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