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Nicked Holliday uses larger shin guard

ST. LOUIS -- Before he keyed the Cardinals' win with a two-run homer on Tuesday, Matt Holliday was keeled over at home plate after fouling a pitch off his left foot/shin for the third time in his first two plate appearances. He was checked on by manager Mike Matheny and a trainer, remained in the game, and ended up drawing a walk.

By the end of the night, Holliday had already adapted, putting on a larger shin guard in hopes that it would provide improved protection. Matheny suggested that the bigger pad become a fixture for the left fielder.

"I'd let him take a catcher's shin guard if he wanted to," Matheny said. "He's had so many bounce off him that pretty soon that's going to be something that's just going to keep nagging him."

The foul-ball issue has been a recurring one for Holliday this season. Tuesday was not the first such instance where he fouled multiple balls off his foot/shin in one game.

"I don't know why," Holliday said. "I typically don't have that problem in my career. I don't know, I've got to quit swinging at that ball down and in, I guess. I've got to find some padding that will protect that."

Jenifer Langosch is a reporter for MLB.com. Read her blog, By Gosh, It's Langosch, and follow her on Twitter @LangoschMLB. Chad Thornburg is an associate reporter for MLB.com.
Read More: St. Louis Cardinals, Matt Holliday