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  Sat, May 21, 2011


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The other Jose comes through for Jays


Blue Jays catcher Jose Molina prepares to catch a ball during his team’s 7-5 win over the Houston Astros yesterday at the Rogers Centre. Molina also had two hits, two runs and an RBI. (Jack Boland/Toronto Sun)


Jose Bautista was the driving force behind the Blue Jays’ come-from-behind win Saturday, but the other Jose on the roster also was a key contributor.
While Jose Molina has gained a reputation around the league as a prime defensive backstop and a healthy mentor for a young pitching staff, he also made an impact at the bottom the Toronto batting order.
In Toronto’s 7-5 victory over the Houston Astros, he went 2-for-3, scoring two runs and driving in Eric Thames from second base in the seventh inning to tie the game 4-4.
For Molina, being able to contribute to a winning cause trumps any of his individual efforts on the day.
“It doesn’t matter how good you do at the plate,” Molina said. “It’s always about the team winning. I’m always that way.”
Personal catcher
With Brandon Morrow taking the mound for the Jays Saturday, Molina resumed his familiar position as Morrow’s personal catcher.
Although Morrow didn’t have a dominant performance on Saturday, the tandem has performed well since being matched up with each other last year.
Molina said that understanding Morrow’s game lets the two work well together.
“He trusts me, and I trust that he’s going to hit his spots,” said Molina when asked about catching for the fireballer.
While rookie J.P. Arencibia has been impressive in the catcher’s position this year and has played the bulk of the games, Molina is putting together a solid season off a bench that has been lacking in bodies.
In 14 games’ worth of at-bats, Molina’s batting average is now up to .314. So far this year, he has done everything the team has asked of him in a limited role.






Is the season lost for the Toronto Blue Jays or is there still time to turn things around?
  Plenty of time to get it turned around
  They're quickly running out of time
  It's lost. When do the Argos start?
  It was over before it began


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