Matt Holliday gets 4 hits in Cardinals’ debut, an 8-1 win over Phillies

Holliday gets 4 hits in Cardinals’ 8-1 win

PHILADELPHIA — Matt Holliday looked more like a pesky leadoff hitter than a slugger in his St. Louis debut.

Holliday had four hits and an RBI to back Joel Pineiro, and the Cardinals beat the Philadelphia Phillies 8-1 on Friday night in a matchup of division leaders.

Acquired from Oakland for a package of prospects earlier in the day, Holliday had two infield singles, a bloop hit and a stolen base. He also ripped a double, the only time he made solid contact.

“I was lucky, but I’ll take them,” Holliday said after tying a career high with his 15th four-hit game. “How many times do you hit the ball hard and make outs?”

The three-time All-Star outfielder significantly bolsters St. Louis’ lineup for the stretch drive. With Pineiro on the mound, the NL Central-leading Cardinals didn’t need much offense.

Pineiro (9-9) tossed six scoreless innings, allowing four hits. He’s given up three earned runs or less in nine straight starts, lowering his ERA to 2.95.

“He’s been very consistent,” Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said. “His record is deceiving.”

Julio Lugo homered and tripled in his first game with St. Louis and Rick Ankiel had four RBIs.

The NL East-leading Phillies lost for just the third time in 18 games. They have a 5½-game cushion in the division.

Philadelphia starter J.A. Happ (7-1) gave up five runs and 10 hits in six innings, breaking a string of six consecutive sharp outings. The rookie left-hander has been mentioned prominently in trade talks with Toronto regarding All-Star pitcher Roy Halladay.

“It was frustrating, to say the least,” Happ said. “You feel like you’re executing, but the balls are dropping.”

Holliday’s presence will make opponents think twice about pitching around Albert Pujols, who has been intentionally walked 34 times.

“You look at the lineup card and it’s exciting,” said Cardinals outfielder Ryan Ludwick, who moves down to the No. 5 spot from cleanup. “You take a hitter like him and it’s instant offense.”

The NL Central-leading Cardinals have a 1½-game lead over the Chicago Cubs and Houston Astros. St. Louis already added utilityman Mark DeRosa from Cleveland late last month and Lugo in a swap Wednesday with Boston.

“Matt is an impact player who gives us an instant added threat in the middle of our lineup,” Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak said. “These types of opportunities are rare. The price to complete this deal was steep, but our organization feels that it should greatly improve our chances to compete for a postseason berth.”

The A’s received power-hitting third baseman Brett Wallace, a top offensive player in the St. Louis farm system. Outfielder Shane Peterson and right-hander Clayton Mortensen also will come to the Oakland organization.

Holliday could be an expensive short-term rental for St. Louis because he can become a free agent after the season. He’s earning $13.5 million in the final year of a contract he signed after helping lead the Colorado Rockies to the World Series in 2007.

Holliday fell short of lofty expectations in his only season with the A’s, batting .286 with 11 home runs and 54 RBIs. Oakland traded for Holliday during the winter, knowing he might only be with the club for half a season.

“We knew there were going to be a lot of options,” A’s general manager Billy Beane said on a conference call.

At Los Angeles, pinch-hitter Jeremy Hermida drove in the go-ahead run in the seventh and pinch-hitter Chris Coghlan homered in the eighth for Florida.

All-Star Josh Johnson (9-2) pitched seven innings as the Marlins followed a three-game sweep in San Diego with a victory over the major league-leading Dodgers, whose five-game winning streak ended.

At Denver, Matt Cain (12-2) became the majors’ second 12-game winner, scattering three hits over seven innings as San Francisco pulled even with Colorado atop the wild-card standings.

Fred Lewis finished a home run shy of the cycle and Nate Schierholtz hit a solo shot, snapping the Giants’ seven-game homerless streak. Jeremy Affeldt pitched a perfect eighth — his 27th straight scoreless inning — and Brian Wilson got Troy Tulowitzki to hit into a game-ending double play for his 25th save.

At Chicago, Aramis Ramirez homered, doubled twice, singled and drove in three to lead the Cubs. Randy Wells (6-4) went six innings.

Derrek Lee, Mike Fontenot and Jeff Baker also homered for Chicago, which has won eight of 11. The Reds dropped their sixth straight road game even though pitcher Aaron Harang (5-11) hit his first career home run.

At Milwaukee, Chipper Jones, Martin Prado and Nate McLouth homered to pace a 17-hit effort that benefited Javier Vazquez (8-7), who struck Home Run Derby champ Prince Fielder four times. Atlanta has won seven of nine since the All-Star break.

Ryan Braun hit a two-run shot for the Brewers, ending a streak of 77 2-3 innings by Braves pitchers without allowing a home run. Milwaukee has lost 13 of 19.

At Houston, Astros starter Mike Hampton (6-7) hit a two-run homer off Johan Santana (11-8), handing him a rare loss after the All-Star break. Chris Coste had a two-run double for Houston, which has won 10 of 13. Jose Valverde got his 11th save.

At Phoenix, Zach Duke (9-9) won for the first time in a month and rookie Garrett Jones hit his major league-best 10th homer in July to lead Pittsburgh.

At Washington, Mat Latos (1-1) earned his first career win and light-hitting Luis Rodriguez homered and matched a career high with three RBIs as San Diego snapped a five-game slide.