LF Shin-Soo Choo were both placed on the 15-day disabled list on Wednesday. Fielder wa

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.Custom Chicago White Sox Jerseys .Y. -- Jayna Hefford scored the winning goal Friday as Canada survived a scare with a 4-3 win over Sweden at the Four Nations womens hockey tournament. White Sox Jerseys China . Manuel was offered a position the day he was fired. He accepted earlier this week and the team made the announcement Friday. https://www.cheapwhitesox.com/ . The Australian is competing in his final season in Formula One and still looking for his first win this year. He will look to end Vettels run of six straight race wins on Sunday. Webber, who is fifth in the championship, earned his second pole from the past three races and 13th of his career. Chicago White Sox Shirts . Both players have lower body injuries that will keep them out of the lineup until at least January 31, which is the first game they can be activated from IR. White Sox Jerseys 2019 . -- Ryan Blaney provided more evidence that Penske Racings No.ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Jefry Marte hit a three-run homer and the Angels shut down a late rally by the AL West-leading Texas Rangers for a 7-4 win Wednesday night that gave Los Angeles a three-game sweep.It was the second straight sweep for the Angels, who won their sixth in a row and moved out of last place in the AL West.Albert Pujols had two hits and scored twice, Yunel Escobar had two RBI and Marte hit his sixth home run.The Rangers rallied in the ninth inning when Ian Desmond homered, Adrian Beltre doubled and Ryan Rua singled to put runners on the corners with two outs. The rally fell short when Rougned Odor flew out to left field.Desmond went with 2 for 4 with the home run and Mitch Moreland hit his 13th homer, a solo shot to lead off the fourth inning. Desmonds homer came with two outs in the ninth off Huston Street, his team-leading 18th this season.The Angels got a run in the first inning before Marte connected on a 3-0 fastball from Martin Perez for a three-run homer. Escobar then drove Johnny Giavotella home with a single to right in the second inning, putting Los Angeles up 5-0.Hector Santiago (8-4) pitched five innings for his third straight win, yielding three earned runs on five hits. His 24-inning scoreless streak ended in the third inning, when the Rangers scored twice to cut the Los Angeles lead to 5-3.The Rangers scored in the third when Beltre tripled home Desmond and then scored on Ruas sacrifice fly.But Perezs shaky command resulted in another run for the Angels in the third. With runners on seconnd and third and Jett Bandy at the plate, Perezs appeared to wobble in his delivery and was called for a balk, scoring Pujols.ddddddddddddPerez (7-7) lost his third decision in as many games, giving up seven earned runs for the second time in July.The Rangers have gone 4-14 since June 28.TRAINERS ROOMRangers: 1B Prince Fielder and LF Shin-Soo Choo were both placed on the 15-day disabled list on Wednesday. Fielder was diagnosed with a herniated disk in his neck and Choo has been dealing with inflammation in his lower back. Infielder Hanser Alberto and outfielder Delino Shields were called up from Triple-A Round Rock to fill their roster spots.Angels: LHP Tyler Skaggs made his final start for Triple-A Salt Lake, completing his rehab from his 2014 Tommy John surgery. Skaggs threw 94 pitches over 5 2/3 innings, gave up one hit, walking three and striking out 12. Hes expected to rejoin the team later this week.UP NEXTRangers: RHP Yu Darvish will make his second start since coming off the disabled list Friday in Kansas City. Darvish, who is 2-1 with a 3.15 ERA in four starts this season, was on the DL from June 13 until July 16 with right shoulder discomfort.Angels: RHP Matt Shoemaker will take the hill in Houston following the Angels day off. The AL pitcher of the week is coming off his first complete game and shutout and is 1-1 with a 2.08 ERA in three starts against the Astros this season. ' ' '