Tigers end Castillo's streak at 35

MIAMI -- Luis Castillo's 35-game hitting streak is over.

Castillo went 0-for-4 Saturday night and was left on deck when the Florida Marlins finished off a four-run rally in the ninth inning to beat the Detroit Tigers 5-4.

After Tim Raines' game-ending sacrifice fly, Castillo stood in the on-deck circle and slowly pulled off his batting helmet -- obviously disappointed with the end to the 10th longest hitting streak in baseball history.

Manager Jeff Torborg went straight to Castillo, put his arms around the switch-hitting Dominican and whispered into his ear.

"I was close to having my last at-bat, but the more important thing was to win the game," Castillo said.

Castillo's streak was the longest since Paul Molitor's 39-gamer in 1987 and ended in similar fashion. Molitor was left on deck when Rick Manning hit a game-winning RBI single in the 10th inning to give the Milwaukee Brewers a 1-0 victory over Cleveland.

Castillo flied out in the first inning, struck out swinging in the third, grounded into a fielder's choice in the fifth and grounded out in the eighth. His first three at-bats were against left-hander Mark Redman. His final at-bat was against right-handed Jose Paniagua.

Hustling down the first-base line, Castillo made his final out a close play. He received a standing ovation before each at-bat, then a much longer one after his eighth-inning out.

Chants of "Louie, Louie" spread across the stadium, and the switch-hitting Dominican popped out of the dugout for a curtain call. He pumped his right hand high above his head as the cheering continued.

"I tried to keep going. ... I don't feel very good right now," Castillo said. "I tried to do what I could for the fans. It's over."

Castillo's streak stands as the longest by a Latin player and the longest streak by a second baseman.

His 35-gamer tied two other players -- Ty Cobb (1917) and Fred Clarke (1895) for the 10th longest of all-time. George Sisler also had a 35-game hitting streak, but it spanned two seasons (1924-25).

Only nine players have had a longer streak, including just two since 1950 -- Pete Rose (44) in 1978 and Molitor. Joe DiMaggio set the record of 56 games in 1941.