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Cardinals' Yadier Molina, Cubs' Addison Russell not in lineup for Game 4

By The Sports Xchange
Chicago Cubs fan Michael Lyp talks with St. Louis cardinals fan Steve Hedgcoth outside of Wrigley Field before game 4 of the National League Division Series in Chicago on October 13, 2015. Photo by Matt Marton/UPI
1 of 3 | Chicago Cubs fan Michael Lyp talks with St. Louis cardinals fan Steve Hedgcoth outside of Wrigley Field before game 4 of the National League Division Series in Chicago on October 13, 2015. Photo by Matt Marton/UPI | License Photo

St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina and Chicago Cubs shortstop Addison Russell were scratched for Game 4 of the National League Division Series on Tuesday at Wrigley Field in Chicago.

Molina was held out of the lineup because of weakness in his injured left thumb. Russell suffered a hamstring injury during the Cubs' 8-6 victory in Game 3 of the best-of-five series on Monday night.

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Cardinals manager Mike Matheny put Molina in the initial lineup but took him down after the thumb did not respond as expected to overnight treatment. Tony Cruz was to start behind the plate in place of Molina.

Molina appeared to be in pain during a swing at the plate in the fourth inning of Game 3 and left in the sixth.

Matheny said Molina still could be used as a defensive replacement. He also didn't rule out Molina for a potential Game 5.

"Catching isn't the issue," Matheny said. "With the splint he has, catching-wise, he's able to come in there. If something happened in this game and we needed a catcher to come in, it would be Yadi, and we'd be all right with that.

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"As everybody saw, it was a swing that got him, and when that happened, it just really took away the opportunity for him to swing as we moved forward."

Russell left the Cubs' Game 3 win on Monday night with left hamstring tightness. Chicago manager Joe Maddon said it's doubtful that Russell could return for a possible Game 5.

Javier Baez was penciled in at shortstop to replace Russell for Game 4.

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