Genes Part of Their Catching Equipment

Benjamin Molina was a pretty good baseball player in his day, the all-time hit leader in the Puerto Rican amateur league. But a father always wants better for his children, and so Wednesday was a particularly touching day for Molina, when the Angels decided that their two major league catchers would be two of his sons.

Bengie Molina, 28, and Jose Molina, 27, have previously played together only because of injury. But, with Wednesday’s trade that sent Jorge Fabregas to the Milwaukee Brewers for outfielder Alex Ochoa, Bengie is the Angels’ starting catcher and Jose is the backup.

“For our family, and from where we came from, this is very nice and very special,” Bengie said. “I’m very happy.”

The brothers expressed sadness at the departure of Fabregas, a friend. But they were thrilled at the chance to stick together, particularly since the news came at a time their father, mother and two cousins are visiting from Puerto Rico.

Jose has played professionally for 10 seasons but has not played a full season in the majors.

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Bengie is expected to be activated tonight, after a one-game rehabilitation appearance Tuesday with Class-A Rancho Cucamonga. He caught six innings as scheduled, but he was reluctant to leave the game because Pedro Liriano was throwing a no-hitter.

Molina did come out, not wanting to risk a recurrence of his hamstring injury. Liriano, 21, gave up a single in the seventh inning and finished with a one-hitter.

ON DECK

Opponent--New York Yankees, four games.

Site--Edison Field.

Tonight--7.

TV--Fox Sports Net, all except Sunday.

Radio--KLAC (570), XPRS (1090).

Records--Angels 63-43, Yankees 67-39.

Record vs. Yankees (2001)--4-3.

TONIGHT

ANGELS’

JARROD WASHBURN

(12-3, 3.23 ERA)

vs.

YANKEES’

JEFF WEAVER

(7-9, 4.06 ERA)

Update--Washburn’s 12-game winning streak ended in his last start, a 3-1 loss at Seattle. Weaver has a 1.17 ERA in three starts at Edison Field.

Friday, 7 p.m.--Kevin Appier (9-8, 4.20) vs. Andy Pettitte (5-4, 3.53).

Saturday, 7 p.m.--Aaron Sele (8-7, 4.78) vs. Orlando Hernandez (6-3, 3.31).

Sunday, 1 p.m.--Ramon Ortiz (9-8, 3.94) vs. David Wells (12-5, 3.66)

Tickets--(714) 663-9000.