2012 » without having a concussion. So theyre working not only to get me h

ST. LOUIS - Known for his defence, Yadier Molina is putting together an impressive offensive season. Molina had two more hits Monday night against the Chicago Cubs, including a two-run double, to help the Cardinals to a 5-2 win in the opener of a four-game series. Those two hits raised his average to a National League best .355. Although Molina has topped the .300 mark the past two seasons, hitting .305 in 2011 and a career-best .315 last season, he seems to be at a different level in 2013, though he appears afraid to he might jinx himself. "Next question," Molina said when asked about leading the league in hitting. "Im glad we got the win for Shelby (Miller). At the same time, he pitched pretty good." After waiting out a rain delay of 1 hour, 59 minutes to start the game, Miller (8-4) pitched five scoreless innings to get the win for the Cardinals. He left after five innings with cramps in his right leg. "He did a great job," said St. Louis manager Mike Matheny. "Had a little warning there that his calf had tightened up (and) we didnt know exactly what we were dealing with. We found out its just a cramp. He should be fine." Miller allowed just two hits and struck out five in the shortest start of his career. His previous shortest stint was 5 1-3 innings at Los Angeles on May 26. "I guess I was a little dehydrated this week," Miller said. "But if feels OK. Well see how it feels tomorrow." Kevin Siegrist and Seth Manness followed Miller and combined for two shutout innings before Trevor Rosenthal allowed a run in the eighth on a broken bat single by Nate Schierholtz. Edward Mujica gave up a homer to Darwin Barney with two outs in the ninth, but still earned his 20th save in 20 opportunities. Shane Robinson and Allen Craig added sacrifice flies for the Cardinals, who moved back to a major league best 20 games over .500 (45-25). Chicago fell to 8-22 against the National League Central, the lowest winning percentage by any team in its own division (.266). The Cubs are 5-23 when they score three runs or less, including Travis Woods last three starts. Wood (5-6) was again a hard-luck loser, as he gave up four runs on seven hits. He has dropped three straight games despite having a 2.70 ERA in those contests. Its tough for the team," Wood said. "Were scratching and clawing trying to get everything we can right now and trying to put together quality ball games. "Were falling a little short right now, but its a good group of guys. Were going to eventually get it together and string together some wins." Molina was happy the Cardinals were able to break through against Wood. "He beat us in Chicago," Molina said. "Tonight, we executed pretty good. The Cardinals took a 2-0 lead in the fourth. Carlos Beltran and Matt Holliday started the inning with singles, and Beltran then went to third on Craigs long fly out to right. Molina then drove both Beltran and Holiday home with a double to the gap in right centre. St. Louis began the seventh the same way, with Molina and David Freese getting singles. Molina would score on a throwing error by first baseman Anthony Rizzo and Freese came home on Robinsons sacrifice fly. Craigs sacrifice fly in the eighth gave the Cardinals a 5-1 lead. NOTES: The Cardinals Adam Wainwright (10-3) will try to become the Major Leagues first 11-game winner when he opposes Jeff Samardzija (3-7) in the second game of the series Tuesday. ... Chicago manager Dale Sveum was ejected with one in the seventh inning after arguing with home plate umpire D.J. Reyburn over whether Molina had eluded Woods tag. "Its a big play in the game at that time," Sveum said. "He blocks the plate and gets there. Its just an out call." St. Louis is 17-7 in the first game of a series. ... Schierholtz has a nine-game hitting streak, equaling his career best.Cheap Dolphins Jerseys . - The Washington Redskins have cut defensive lineman Adam Carriker and punter Sav Rocca. Christian Wilkins Jersey Large . P.A. Parenteau scored early in the third period to help the Avs edge Toronto 2-1 on Tuesday night. Cory Sarich also scored for Colorado (3-0-0), which is off to its best ever start. http://www.customdolphinsjersey.com/ .Y. -- The Buffalo Sabres have placed centre Cody Hodgson on injured reserve and recalled two players from their AHL affiliate in Rochester. Cheap Custom Dolphins Jersey . How great will be revealed in the next couple of days at the board of governors meeting in Pebble Beach, Calif. Dolphins Jerseys China . - Levi Browns tenure at left tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers is over before it even began.WATKINS GLEN, NY - Dale Earnhardt Jr. made his first appearance at a racetrack since being diagnosed with a concussion four weeks ago, and he has a message for his fans:Hes not retiring. Not yet, anyway.Earnhardt, who has missed the last three NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races and will miss at least two more, took questions for 30 minutes during a media appearance at Watkins Glen International, where the Cup Series races on Sunday.The popular driver said he is continuing to make progress in his therapy, but as long as he continues to suffer from ocular imbalance issues, there can be no set timetable for his return to the seat of the No. 88 Chevrolet.However, he does plan to return to competition as soon as he is cleared by doctors.Im not ready to stop racing; Im not ready to quit, Earnhardt said.Its a slow process and I wish it wasnt, he continued. I dont know how long its gonna take, and as impatient as I am, I worry about everyone elses patience as well.But Im not going to go in the car until the doctors say Im ready to race.Earnhardt sustained the concussion in a relatively minor looking crash at Michigan Speedway on June 12, but he said the symptoms were slow to develop. He drove in three more races before recognizing that he wasnt feeling right, at which point he sought medical attention.Unfortunately its a slow process and theres no guidelines or rulebook, he said. Theres no consistent history over how long this really takes to clear up so were just having to be patient.My doctors feel great about the opportunity that I not only will be healthy again, but they can actuallyy make my brain stronger to be able to withstand these common events, he added.dddddddddddd The event that I had a Michigan which they tied this concussion to, I should have been able to get through that without having a concussion. So theyre working not only to get me healed up, but to make sure I can compete and I can go through events like that without any concern.Earnhardt has been involved in several major accidents over the course of his 16-year NASCAR career, and he missed two races due to a concussion in 2012.He said his therapy is different this time, with doctors encouraging him to engage in activities outside his comfort zone. That includes things like dining out, playing with his sisters kids, or making himself available to the media at Watkins Glen.In this situation, my doctor says its good therapy to go somewhere that makes you feel worse, Earnhardt explained. He wants me to do anything that pushes me into areas to get my anxiety and drive the symptoms so my body gets used to them. He calls that exposure, and this [press conference] is probably the worst situation as far as making my senses to go haywire.I just want to get better, he added. Nothing else is really a priority except for just getting the symptoms to clear up and get back to feeling like yourself. Thats all that Im thinking about. Its a challenge, but weve got some great doctors and I really believe and trust what they are telling me. I just have to do what they tell me. ' ' '