Cardinals' Yadier Molina leaves NLCS Game 2 with strained oblique

St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina left Game 2 of the NLCS with a strained left oblique, the team said.

St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina left Game 2 of the NLCS with a strained oblique, the team said. 

Molina had to be helped off the field after a sixth inning at-bat against the San Francisco Giants. Molina grounded into a double play but did not leave the batter's box. The game was tied 2-2 when Molina left.

Molina was replaced by backup catcher Tony Cruz. Any extended absence for Molina would be a huge blow for the Cardinals, who trailed the Giants 1-0 in the best-of-seven NLCS. Molina was batting just .238 through six postseason games, but he's viewed as a field general for the Cardinals. 

• Molina fined $5,000 for shoving umpire

-Brett LoGiurato