News
Holliday welcomed warmly despite gaffe
Left fielder receives rousing ovation from Cardinals fans
By Tom Singer / MLB.com
10/11/09 12:11 AM EST
ST. LOUIS -- There had been speculation over what kind of welcome Busch Stadium would accord Matt Holliday, whose grave ninth-inning misplay had enabled the Dodgers' 3-2 comeback win in Game 2 on Thursday night. Let it be noted that in true Midwest style, Cardinals fans showered Holliday on Saturday with their loudest pregame cheers. As the starting lineup was announced and the players took turns lining up along the first-base line, Albert Pujols got a predictably big ovation -- which then was dwarfed by the roar for Holliday.
Holliday got another enormous ovation as he came to the plate with men on first and second and one out in the first inning. However, he grounded out to opposing pitcher Vicente Padilla as the Cardinals were unable to score in the inning.
Holliday went 0-for-4 as Los Angeles swept St. Louis with a 5-1 victory. He finished the series 2-for-12 (.167) with one solo home run.
"I think we felt like we had a team that could do something special, and we fell short," Holliday said.
Holliday's struggles were emblematic of those of his team, as the Cardinals scored just six runs in the three games.
"They pitched well," Holliday said. "Once you get to their bullpen, it's tough. They have a really good bullpen.
"Our team, as an offense, we couldn't get anything going. We had some good at-bats here and there, but as far as stringing anything together, we had a hard time."
Tom Singer is a reporter for MLB.com and writes an MLBlog, Change for a Nickel. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
