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Barney's errorless streak ends, tied for MLB record

There haven't been many good things for the Chicago Cubs this year, but one of them came to an end Friday night in an 8-3 loss at Arizona.

Second baseman Darwin Barney committed his first error at second base since April 17. That left him tied for the major-league single-season record for consecutive errorless games at second. Barney already held the National League record, and he'll have to settle for sharing the big-league record with Placido Polanco, who went 141 games with Detroit in 2007.

Barney still looks to be the front-runner for Gold Glove honors in the National League, something manager Dale Sveum has said time and again Barney deserves.

"It goes without saying he's Gold Glove material," Sveum said.

Barney made the error on a throw, as he backhanded Justin Upton's grounder up the middle and threw it away at first base, allowing a run to score. First baseman Anthony Rizzo couldn't scoop the low throw, and the ball got away.

It was typical of the kinds of plays Barney attempts, as he has not shied away from tough plays to keep the streak going.

"That's just how you play the game," Barney said. "You can't hold that ball right there."

"He puts everything into the package, going for pop-ups down the right-field line, double plays, the range," Sveum said. "He has so many different things in his toolbox. It's not just a guy catching the ball, routine balls. He's been spectacular all season."