ST. LOUIS -- Cardinals reliever Brett Cecil has denied applying a foreign substance to a ball that stuck to Yadier Molina's chest protector Thursday and defended his catcher after the event went viral -- and raised widespread alarm over its cause.
"I really don't have any explanation for it. I don't use any foreign substance to put on there," Cecil said Friday of the play, which allowed the Chicago Cubs' leadoff hitter to reach base and preceded a game-winning rally. "You guys saw Yadi spinning around and the ball didn't even come off.