ST. LUIS (AP) — The cheers began as Adam Wainwright and Yadier Molina emerged from the bullpen before the game. St. Louis fans rose to their feet to acknowledge all that this duo has accomplished.
And after the last out and a 4-1 win over the Milwaukee Brewers, it was time for the Cardinals to celebrate their two teammates’ record in the clubhouse.
Wainwright and Molina started their 325th game, the most by a single Major League battery in history.
“It feels great to be on that list,” Molina said. “And more to do it with Waino, a great human being. He is just amazing.”
With the win, the Cardinals extended their lead atop the NL Central.
The pitcher-catcher duo eclipsed the regular-season mark of 324 set by the Detroit Tigers’ Mickey Lolich and Bill Freehan from 1963-75.
“I don’t think anyone else is going to break this record,” Wainwright said.
Towels bearing the number 325 were handed out to fans arriving at the park. And the displays of admiration for the pitcher and the catcher did not stop.
“The crowd was amazing, it gave me goosebumps and constant tears,” Wainwright said. “Normally, when I get to the dugout after warming up, I’m very focused on how I’m going to face the leadoff hitter. But now they put a video on the screen and I thought, ‘They’re probably not going to put any more videos like that when I’m pitching, so I should enjoy it even for a minute.’
Wainwright opened the game with a strike to Christian Yelich, who, out of respect, made no attempt to swing.
Molina and Wainwright were drumming partners for the first time opening on April 6, 2007, in Houston. Wainwright had a 4-2 win in that matchup.
It was the first of his 213 wins with Molina behind the plate.
Molina, an eternal candidate for the Gold Glove, has suggested that he will retire at the end of this campaign. Wainwright, 41, has not made a decision on the matter.
Wainwright (11-9) gave up just one run in five innings, despite giving up eight hits and walking two. He struck out three and walked a pair during a 98-pitch spree.
Molina supported him, throwing out Kolten Wong on a steal attempt after a strikeout to end the third inning.
In addition, the catcher put the Cardinals ahead for good, with a single in the second inning.
Nolan Arenado and Lars Nootbaar homered for the Cardinals, who have won three of four and stretched their lead over the Central Division-atop Brewers to eight games.
Corbin Burnes (10-7) was the loser, allowing three runs and seven hits in seven innings.
For the Brewers, Dominican Willy Adames 4-1. The Venezuelan Omar Narvaez 4-1.
For the Cardinals, the Dominican Albert Pujols 3-1 with an RBI. Puerto Rican Molina 4-1 with an RBI.
