Atlanta, GA (Sports Network) - One year later, the storyline is all too
familiar for the Braves. And for one Atlanta player, the curtain has
fallen on his extraordinary career. Allen Craig ignited a three-run
fourth inning with an RBI double, Matt Holliday smashed a solo homer and
the St. Louis Cardinals posted a 6-3 victory over a mistake-prone Braves team
in the National League Wild Card playoff game at Turner Field. The winner-
take-all contest will not best be remembered for being third baseman
Chipper Jones' swan song, but rather for a questionable call that came during
a critical moment. Freddie Freeman walked to start the bottom of the eighth
for Atlanta and David Ross, subbing for a banged-up Brian McCann, lined a
one-out single to center field. Andrelton Simmons then lofted a pop up that
fell in between shortstop Pete Kozma and Holliday. Left field umpire Sam
Holbrook inexplicably called a late infield fly, resulting in fans littering
the field with debris. Following an extended delay, Jason Motte entered from
the bullpen and struck out Michael Bourn after walking a pinch-hitting McCann
to load the bases. With two outs in the ninth, Jones temporarily prolonged
his career and the Braves' season by reaching on a broken-bat infield
single. He was safe when second baseman Daniel Descalso's throw pulled
Craig's foot off the bag. Freeman followed with a ground-rule double, but
Dan Uggla grounded out to end the game.
The Sports Network