Yadier Molina leaves game with back injury after avoiding a pitch

After avoiding getting hit by a pitch in the ninth inning, Cardinals All-Star catcher Yadier Molina was forced to leave the game with a lower-back injury.

In the top of the ninth inning Saturday afternoon -- with the go-ahead run on third base and two outs -- Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina torqued his body awkwardly in avoiding an errant inside fastball from Cubs closer Carlos Marmol. Molina avoided getting hit by the 96 mph pitch, but he did not avoid injury.

After discussing things with manager Mike Matheny and the Cardinals athletic trainer, Molina left the game and immediately headed down to the clubhouse.

The only thing the Cardinals have announced is that Molina left with "lower-back spasms." It would appear to be good news, at least initially, because Molina avoided an oblique strain or something that would have put him out for several weeks. Spasms can be dealt with rather quickly, in most cases.

Needless to say, losing Molina for a stretch would deal a significant blow to the Cardinals' hopes of making the postseason and, ultimately, repeating as World Series champs. Molina, 30, brings leadership, clutch hitting, excellent defense behind the plate and is hitting .319/.376/.503 with 20 homers, 70 RBI, 60 runs and 12 stolen bases this season.

The Cardinals entered the game with just a 1 1/2-game lead over the Brewers for the second wild card and four teams were within 4 1/2 games of that final playoff spot.

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