"Left fielder Matt Holliday, who was the designated hitter in Kansas City, came out for a pinch runner in the fifth when he felt a tug in his left quadriceps, which had cost him a game last week. He is doubtful for tonight's game in San Diego. Shortstop Ryan Theriot was kept out as he battled either the flu or food poisoning. Theriot said he wasn't sure if the hamburger he ate late Saturday had affected him or not.

With Theriot ailing, La Russa gave rookie Pete Kozma his first start at shortstop. To complete a keystone combination he probably never thought he would be using, La Russa employed Allen Craig at second.

"I'm a one-day-at-a-time guy," La Russa had said before the game.

Besides hitting a two-run homer, Craig made two outstanding defensive plays, including one on the other side of second. Kozma, who laid down a sacrifice bunt and drew a key walk, showed "a lot of cool," La Russa said."