Darwin Barney's streak snapped

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PHOENIX -- Chicago Cubs second baseman Darwin Barney committed a rare error Friday night but first baseman Anthony Rizzo took the blame.

"It hit off my glove," Rizzo said after the Cubs' 8-3 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks. "It's just one of those things that I think I should have."

Barney long ago had broken Cubs legend Ryne Sandberg's NL-record 123-game streak without an error at second base and was three outs from breaking Placido Polanco's major league record of 141 games.

With Aaron Hill on second, Justin Upton hit a grounder to the right of second base. Barney ranged deep into the hole, hopped off one foot and lofted a throw to first that went just wide of Rizzo's glove.

"That play up the middle was an incredible play," Rizzo said. "It was fearless and that is the type of player he is and the type of play he's done all year. That's why everyone was so upset."

Upton was credited with a single but Barney was charged with his first error since April 17 -- a span of 1,154 1-3 innings, for allowing Hill to score.

"It has been fun," Barney said. "It had to end at some point. It's just how the game works and it's a funny game. This is why baseball is unbelievable."

Despite the streak, Barney never considered simply holding onto the ball with the speedy Upton racing down the line.

"I have to make that play," Barney said. "What was it, 5-3 at that time? We were in that ball game and my job is to make plays regardless of taking risks and I think I've done that this whole run. It's just how you play the game. You can't hold that ball right there."

Cubs manager Dale Sveum equated his feelings watching the streak end to the disappointment of being eliminated from the postseason.

"That is probably the sickest feeling I ever had in the game besides a couple of playoff losses knowing you are going home," Sveum said. "Wow, I can't believe it. There are some things you can't understand in this world and life, period, and that one is unbelievable. It was one heck of a run. He ought to hang his hat on that and be proud."

Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press

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