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Molina leads Cardinals past Marlins

Aug 12, 2008 - 3:23 AM By Christopher Stock PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

MIAMI (Ticker) -- Yadier Molina hit a two-run home run and Joel Pineiro pitched seven solid innings as the St. Louis Cardinals defeated the Florida Marlins, 4-2, on Monday in the opener of a four-game set.

Pineiro (5-5) allowed two runs - one earned - and seven hits, striking out four in his second straight winning decision. The righthander has thrown at least seven innings in consecutive games.

"(Molina) just put down the right fingers," Pineiro said. "I don't know too much about the Marlins, just going on video and stats. Yadier, I can trust. He has been around long enough."

After Rick Ankiel was hit by a pitch to lead off the fourth inning for the Cardinals, Molina hit a go-ahead, two-run shot off Florida starter Anibal Sanchez for the 3-2 advantage.

"He threw me a slider and I did put a good swing on it and the ball took off," Molina said. "I don't really think about my average. I just want to get some wins for my team."

Rookie Chris Perez pitched a perfect ninth to pick up his second save of the season.

"After I fell behind to (Wes) Helms, I just told myself to throw it down the middle and let them hit it," Perez said. "With nobody on, you feel more comfortable and you don't have to nibble."

Ankiel smacked an RBI single in the first inning but the Marlins responded as Hanley Ramirez scored on a wild pitch. Cody Ross delivered a solo homer - his 17th of the season - in the second to give the Marlins a 2-1 lead.

Sanchez (1-2) settled down and pitched seven solid innings, allowing three runs while matching a career high with eight strikeouts. The righthander gave up six hits and two walks.

"I feel this was my best start in my last three starts in the major leagues," Sanchez said. "My shoulder feels strong."

With Florida trailing, 3-2, Ramirez singled to left off reliever Kyle McClellan to lead off the eighth inning. Ankiel, who was playing left field for the first time this season, bobbled the ball and then threw wildly to second base, allowing Ramirez to end up at third base. Ankiel was charged with two errors on the play.

However, the Marlins were unable to capitalize as Jeremy Hermida grounded out, Helms struck out and Mike Jacobs flew out, ending a golden opportunity.

"We didn't take the opportunity to score some runs with people on base in the eighth inning with a man on third base, nobody out, and we couldn't get that run in," Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez said.

Joe Mather added a pinch-hit solo homer in the ninth to cap off the scoring for the Cardinals.