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Soler's 2 HRs, Baez Double Send Cubs Past Cards

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- Jorge Soler hit two homers and fellow rookie Javier Baez had a tiebreaking, two-run double in the eighth inning off All-Star reliever Pat Neshek as the Chicago Cubs beat the St. Louis Cardinals 7-2 on Friday night.

The Cardinals lost in the return of star catcher Yadier Molina. He had been out since July 9 because of a torn ligament in his right thumb, and went 0 for 3 and was hit by a pitch.

The crowd at Busch Stadium gave Molina a standing ovation when he walked in from the bullpen after pregame warmups, and another cheer before he batted in the first inning.

Neshek (6-1) led NL relievers with an 0.81 ERA entering the game. It was 2-all when he came in to begin the eighth, and he gave up hits to the first three batters.

Neil Ramirez (2-1) allowed two hits in a scoreless seventh.

(© 2014 by STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited.)

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