Cruz fills in admirably for ailing Molina in Game 5

Without a doubt, losing Yadier Molina to an oblique injury hurt the Cardinals during the National League Championship Series. The veteran catcher sat out the final three contests — three losses on the road to the Giants. But Tony Cruz, a backup who has soaked up plenty from Molina in four years, did all he could in Thursday’s 6-3 loss in Game 5 to make the Cardinals forget what they were missing.