Major League Baseball

Game ends early for Holliday, Berkman

Published May. 18, 2011 1:00 a.m. ET

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St. Louis Cardinals cleanup hitter Matt Holliday was removed after two innings, complaining of tightness in his left quadriceps.

The Cardinals were minus all three starting outfielders after Lance Berkman was taken out as a precaution with discomfort in his right wrist in the sixth shortly after making a diving catch in right against the Houston Astros on Wednesday night. Pete Kozma, called up earlier in the day after utilityman Nick Punto was placed on the 15-day disabled list, hit an RBI double in his first career at-bat to put the Cardinals up 5-0.

Holliday started in left field and center fielder Colby Rasmus missed his fourth straight game while recovering from a minor abdominal muscle pull.

Holliday made a running catch at the warning track on Angel Sanchez's drive for the second out in the first on Wednesday night against the Houston Astros, and he grounded out to start the second. Rookie Mark Hamilton replaced Holliday in left field in the third.

Despite an 0-for-14 slump, Holliday leads the National League with a .358 average and was among the league leaders with 30 RBIs.

Berkman, who's batting .349, charged full speed to rob Chris Johnson of a hit in shallow right for the first out in the fifth.

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