Cards' Molina exits after collision at the plate
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina left Tuesday's game following a home-plate collision with Pirates second baseman Josh Harrison in the second inning.
Harrison was trying to score from second on Jose Tabata's base hit to right field. Carlos Beltran made a perfect throw to the plate, and Molina caught it on a hop while turning towards a hard-charging Harrison.
Harrison, listed at 5-foot-8, 185 pounds, lowered his left shoulder and struck Molina in the helmet as both fell to the ground. Molina held on for the final out, but the All-Star backstop struggled making it to his feet.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}After several moments on the ground, trainers helped an obviously-dazed Molina off the field. He was seen in the dugout during St. Louis' turn at the plate, but was replaced by Tony Cruz in the next half-inning.
Molina came into Tuesday's game fourth in the National League in hitting (.324) while providing 17 home runs and 62 RBI.