Posted: 6/16/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Tom Gannam, The Associated Press St. Louis Cardinals' Yadier Molina hits his head on the ground after being hit by Philadelphia Phillies' Eric Bruntlett in the ninth inning of a game Sunday in St. Louis. Molina was taken off the field on a board as a precaution.

ST. LOUIS - Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina was taken off the field on a stretcher with a brace around his neck after getting run over on a tag play in the ninth inning Sunday.

Molina was taken to a hospital for evaluation of neck and back pain. Team spokesman Brian Bartow said Molina did not lose consciousness after the collision.

Manager Tony La Russa said initial reports were positive. Albert Pujols, who is on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left calf, told the manager in the 10th inning that he had spoken with Molina before the catcher was taken to the hospital.

"The initial stuff was OK," La Russa said. "At least right now. We're keeping our fingers crossed and hoping for the best."

Molina got spun around on a one-hop throw from first baseman Chris Duncan, who had been playing in when he fielded Phillies star Jimmy Rollins' bad-hop grounder. As he was turning to make the tag, Molina was drilled by pinch-runner Eric Bruntlett and he was face down in the dirt for several minutes while being attended to by medical personnel.

Bruntlett and Jayson Werth, Philadelphia's next hitter, were among those watching nearby. La Russa had no problem with the play, saying "I don't blame the runner.

"It gets your stomach a little bit because you fear the worst," the manager said. "It was very scary and we'll see. Hopefully, we're OK."

Molina showed plate umpire Tim McClelland he still had the ball, holding it in his right hand, before collapsing in front of the plate. He did not appear to be moving as the cart left the field.

La Russa said Molina was told not to move because he had been complaining about his neck.

"That's all we need, is for him to be OK," La Russa said.

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