Cuddyer wastes no time upping hit streak to 26

DENVER -- Rockies outfielder Michael Cuddyer extended his hit streak to 26 games Saturday with a two-out RBI single in the first inning against Giants starter Matt Cain.

Cuddyer's streak, which started May 28, is the Majors' longest such run since Jose Reyes hit in 26 consecutive contests last year with the Marlins. The hit drove in Corey Dickerson, who led off the bottom of the first with a double and moved to third on DJ LeMahieu's sacrifice bunt.

Also, Cuddyer reached in his club-record 45th straight game. He entered Saturday with a .347 batting average -- tied with injured teammate Troy Tulowitzki for second in the National League and trailing only the .357 posted by Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina.

It's production the Rockies expected last year, but didn't get -- mainly because of injury.

The Rockies signed Cuddyer before last season for offensive production and leadership, after Cuddyer had been with the Twins for 11 seasons. Cuddyer was making the adjustment to the National League when he suffered an oblique injury late in the season and finished the year inactive. His .260 batting average in 101 games suggested he was adjusting to the new league. But his 16 home runs and 48 extra-base hits were a preview of what type of hitter he could be in the NL once he completed the adjustment.

During his current streak, Cuddyer has six home runs, five doubles and 18 RBIs.

Cuddyer's 45 straight games reaching base is the longest such streak in the Majors since the Orioles' Kevin Millar reached in 52 straight June 20-Aug. 25, 2007.