Michael Wacha, Yadier Molina power St. Louis Cardinals in 5-3 win over Reds

Michael Wacha and Yadier Molina powered the St. Louis Cardinals with a 5-3 win over the Cincinnati Reds. It was the fourth game between the two NL Central teams in a week.
Apr 7, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina (4) is congratulated by manager Mike Matheny (22) after hitting a three run double off of Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Tony Cingrani (not pictured) during the first inning at Busch Stadium. Image Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Monday saw the second matchup in two seasons between pitchers Michael Wacha and Tony Cingrani. Could this be the next coming of the pitching duels of Bob Gibson and Fergie Jenkins? The Cardinals and Cubs Hall of Famers dueled through the 1960s and 1970s.

The line for both players yesterday:
Wacha (W, 1-0): 6.0 IP, 7 H, 1 R (1 ER), 1 BB, 3 K, 0.71 ERA
Cingrani (L, 0-1): 4.0 IP, 3 H, 3 R (3 ER), 4 BB, 5 K, 2.45 ERA

ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick looks at the contrasting styles of the two pitchers. With many matchups between the two clubs this season, it could surely be a pitching duel in the making. Wouldn’t that be something?

Opening Day in St. Louis almost meant the parade of Hall of Famers in their red jackets before the game. This has come to be something of a tradition in St. Louis. Yesterday, Hall of Famers Bob Gibson, Lou Brock, Ozzie Smith, Red Schoendienst, Bruce Sutter, and Whitey Herzog were joined by a new guy in red, Tony LaRussa. LaRussa will be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame this summer.

Molina, who hit a bases-clearing double in the first inning, was asked about the Hall of Fame after the game.

“For me, I don’t try to think that way,” the longtime Cardinals catcher said. “I try to go day by day and try to think about now.

“If it happens, it happens. I would love to one day be in one of those jackets, but right now, I’m not thinking about it.”

Molina has been building a case for the Hall. Monday was his tenth consecutive home opener. He owns two World Series rings and played in two other World Series. Throw in all those Gold Glove Awards and the steadily-rising batting average over the years and it would be hard to turn him away.

Between Wacha and Molina, yesterday was a good day for the Cardinals. Kolten Wong stole his first base of the season while Billy Hamilton continues his struggles at the plate.

The Cards and Reds return to action tonight in a game airing on Fox Sports 1. Lance Lynn (1-0, 5.40 ERA) will take the start against Homer Bailey (0-1, 8.31 ERA). Prior to the game, the Cardinals will present rings to the team and Hall of Famers.