ATLANTA (KMOX) - If this is in fact Adam Wainwright's last go around in his MLB career, or with the St. Louis Cardinals, he's certainly making the most of it. His start in Game 1 of the Sunday doubleheader against the Atlanta Braves was just another impressive day on his resume – and his friend Yadier Molina made the day even better for Cardinals fans.
The Cardinals' 9-1 victory on Sunday was more proof of Wainwright's ability to rise up on any occasion and succeeding despite a lot going against him. He was preparing to pitch on Saturday, until weather pushed the game back a day – so he would then be pitching on Father's Day.
The father of five also pitched a gem on Mother's Day this year. On Father's Day, he pitched a complete-game shutout (only seven innings because of the doubleheader).
“I pitched a pretty good game on Mother's Day, right?” Wainwright says of his May 9 performance against the Colorado Rockies, allowing no runs and only three hits over 8.1 innings. “I can't leave the dads hanging."
The victory on Sunday was his second complete-game shutout of the season and his 11 strikeouts were one away from tying his career-high. Wainwright turns 40-year-old in August.
The complete game was his 26th in his career – tying Astros ace Justin Verlander for most among active players.
But he may have been outdone by Molina. He hit a single in the third inning for his 2,048th career hit – tying Hall of Famer Johnny Bench for eighth all-time among catchers.
And this throw he made to snag a runner trying to steal second was probably the highlight of the game. Not only did Molina throw out Abraham Almonte him from his knees, but it was also thrown harder than the pitch: Pitch - 74.7 mph. Molina's throw - 78.7 mph.
Wainwright called his catcher the "eighth wonder of the world." And was also asked about this possibly being his final season in baseball.
“I don't know, you never know,” he said. “I'm acting like it is, just in case it is, so I don't miss anything.”
© 2021 KMOX (Audacy). All rights reserved
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Follow KMOX
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram