ST. LOUIS _ Yadier Molina's two singles didn't figure in the scoring Thursday night as the Cardinals downed the Milwaukee Brewers 4-2 at Busch Stadium. But they made history.
After Molina legged out an infield single in the second inning for career hit No. 1,999, he singled to right center off righthander Justin Topa in the seventh inning for the 2,000th hit of his career with the Cardinals.
Molina became the 12th player who primarily played as a catcher to have 2,000 and only the sixth player of any position to have 2,000 hits as a Cardinal. That list is an esteemed one, with the other members Stan Musial, Lou Brock, Rogers Hornsby, Enos Slaughter and Molina's longtime teammate and friend, Albert Pujols.
Molina began his career here in 2004 and earlier this season he passed the 2,000 games played mark with the Cardinals.
As the Cardinals moved a half game ahead of idle Cincinnati for second place in the National League Central Division and an automatic playoff spot, Dylan Carlson smacked a two-run homer and drove in another run with a double.
Kwang Hyun Kim, who required 56 pitches to get through the fourth and fifth innings, left after five innings but received spotless relief as he gained his third win. Giovanny Gallegos, Genesis Cabrera, Alex Reyes and Andrew Miller took care of the final four innings, allowing just one run and striking out six.
Milwaukee dropped two games behind the Cardinals in the division and the Cardinals suddenly trail the first-place Chicago Cubs by just 2 { games and just one on the loss side. The Brewers and Cardinals have four more games here this weekend while Cincinnati plays three at Minnesota and the Cubs visit the crosstown White Sox for three.
