Holliday’s streak ends, then night ends, too
THE SPORTS XCHANGE
ST. LOUIS — Matt Holliday’s National League-record streak ended as he watched strike three nip the inside corner, followed shortly by the conclusion of his night, courtesy of plate umpire Joe West’s right arm.
But the ejection of Holliday and manager Mike Matheny wasn’t enough to prevent the St. Louis Cardinals from following the Milwaukee Brewers’ 1-0 win Monday with one of their own on Tuesday.
Holliday’s 45-game streak of reaching base to start the season ended, just eight shy of the major league record held by Derek Jeter.
Starter Lance Lynn (4-4) threw 7 2/3 innings, giving up five hits and one walk with five strikeouts in beating Milwaukee (18-35) for the second time this year.
Reliever Kevin Siegrist got the eighth inning’s last out, and closer Trevor Rosenthal worked the ninth for his 16th save in 17 chances, inducing a game-ending 5-4-3 double play from third baseman Aramis Ramirez with runners at the corners.
“Heard it was a real nice turn from (second baseman) Kolten (Wong),” Matheny said. “I obviously didn’t see it. I heard the cheer from the crowd.”
That was in stark contrast to the bottom of the seventh, when the sellout audience of 42,835 rocked Busch Stadium with boos.
Holliday looked at a 1-2 pitch from starter Tyler Cravy and thought it was inside. West disagreed, ringing Holliday up. Holliday argued at length and gestured at least three times toward West as he ambled back to the dugout, finally earning the fourth ejection of his career.
“I was surprised,” Holliday said. “I didn’t say anything vulgar. Usually, the umpires will let a veteran player have his say. But I guess he didn’t want to hear anything about balls and strikes.”
Matheny took up the argument at that point, saying enough to pick up his ninth career ejection from West.
“I was shocked that he came out of the game,” Matheny said of Holliday. “I don’t expect them to give extra rope for things like streaks, but I know Matt wasn’t swearing. That’s not a game I want to come out of as well.”
Nevertheless, Matheny’s team got the last six outs, improving to 34-18 and opening up a six-game lead in the National League Central.
The game’s only run came in the bottom of the second inning when first baseman Mark Reynolds looped a two-out single into center field, scoring right fielder Randal Grichuk from second.