PHOENIX • It took an injury as impetus but manager Mike Matheny got a chance Tuesday to make a move the team and he had expressed an interest in doing at some point.
Matt Carpenter, the National League’s best leadoff hitter the past two seasons, moved down in the lineup and for the first time in his career started at No. 3. Matt Holliday has held the deed on the fulcrum of the Cardinals’ lineup since 2012, and not until Tuesday had Matheny relocated Carpenter to the spot. Holliday’s absence as he recovered from a cramp in his right leg made it possible, even for one night only.