Holliday again scratched with back issue

ST. LOUIS -- For the second straight day, Matt Holliday was scratched from the Cardinals' starting lineup shortly before the first pitch due to back spasms.

The issue first surfaced on Sunday, and Holliday was kept out of that game when he couldn't get his back to loosen up while taking some pregame swings. As the Cardinals were taking the field for batting practice on Monday, manager Mike Matheny said that Holliday's back was feeling "much better."

The timing of that prognosis changing would suggest that Holliday, who went 13-for-26 on the road trip, felt the tightness return while swinging Monday afternoon. Shane Robinson replaced Holliday in left field and hit in the eighth spot.