Cardinals' Molina suspended for five games

NEW YORK, Aug. 4 (UPI) -- St. Louis catcher Yadier Molina was suspended for five games Thursday for an altercation with an umpire.

Molina will start the suspension Thursday and will be eligible to return to the lineup Wednesday for the second game of a home series against Milwaukee.

Molina was thrown out of a game in the 10th inning Tuesday when he argued pitch calls by home plate umpire Rob Drake. In the ensuring argument, Molina made contact with Drake several times.

After the incident Drake appeared to wipe a wet substance from his face. Molina said he didn't spit on the umpire.

Molina was suspended and fined an undisclosed amount for the run-in.