LOS ANGELES - If this is what Yadier Molina can do after a rare off-day, another 27 consecutive games behind the plate might be in order.
Molina hit a two-run home run in the third inning on Tuesday to celebrate his return to the starting lineup, and rookie Daniel Poncedeleon struck out eight batters in four innings of his second career start as the Cardinals moved into the top spot in the National League Wild Card standings with a 5-2 victory over the Dodgers.
Cardinals right-hander Carlos Martinez was hit in the torso by a line drive off the bat of Joc Pederson in the eighth inning, but he walked off the field without assistance after being checked on by the medical staff.