CINCINNATI • Yadier Molina, hitless in eight previous at-bats against Cincinnati ace Anthony DeSclafani, is hitless no more.
Homering for his second straight game Friday, and the Cardinals’ 21st game in succession, Molina gave the Cardinals a 1-0 lead in the second inning with an opposite-field drive, his sixth homer of the season, off the Reds’ righthander.
But the inning ended in disappointing fashion for the Cardinals after Jhonny Peralta walked with one out and Greg Garcia doubled to left with two outs. On Garcia’s hit, third-base coach Chris Maloney erred in waving home the slow-running Peralta, even with pitcher Alex Reyes up next.