The Dodgers know a thing or two about heartbreaking losses in must-win situations that turn on a single play. So you can imagine how the St. Louis Cardinals reacted to last night’s 4-3, walkoff win by the Dodgers that left the two teams tied at 76-60 for the final wild-card berth.

One play in particular left a bad taste, according to Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch:

Several players questioned umpire Doug Eddings’ safe call at second base when Gordon stole his way into scoring position after replacing Andre Ethier at first base.

“He missed the call. I know he missed it,” said catcher Yadier Molina, who also thought he stopped Shane Victorino’s first-inning steal attempt before Victorino scored the Dodgers’ first run. “I know those guys (umpires) have a tough job to do. But those calls cost us the game. Gordon was out. The ball was there. The tag was there.”

Another player who saw the replay asserted the same thing as he left the clubhouse. Regardless, the Cardinals were left reeling from a piece of inspiration turned bad.

The loss left manager Mike Matheny draped over the dugout rail for a long minute as his players cleared. The clubhouse remained closed for 15 minutes afterward with manager still inconsolable when the doors opened.

Eddings is the first-base umpire today.