In a gripping showdown at Dodger Stadium on September 2, 2026, the St. Louis Cardinals faced off against the Los Angeles Dodgers, seeking to complete a series sweep. Despite a strong start, the Cardinals' bullpen faltered in the ninth inning, allowing the Dodgers to snatch a dramatic 3-2 victory.
The Cardinals came out swinging against Dodgers' starter Tarik Skubal, demonstrating their intent early in the game. José Fermín led off the first inning with a single after a lengthy at-bat, followed by Iván Herrera, who also reached base with a single. After a strikeout from Jordan Walker, Joshua Báez capitalized on the momentum, driving in Fermín for a 1-0 lead with a well-placed single through the infield.
However, the inning took a turn when Leo Bernal hit a sharp line drive that was caught by Mookie Betts, resulting in a double play that ended the threat. The Cardinals continued to apply pressure, and in the third inning, they extended their lead to 2-0 when Ramón Urías delivered a clutch two-out single, scoring Herrera.
Quinn Mathews, starting for St. Louis, faced challenges but managed to keep the Dodgers at bay through five innings, allowing just one run. The Dodgers finally got on the board in the fifth, thanks to a passed ball that allowed a run to score, narrowing the Cardinals' lead to 2-1.
Despite the Dodgers' struggles against Mathews, who finished with a solid line of 5 innings pitched, 4 hits allowed, and 4 strikeouts, the Cardinals could not capitalize on their offensive opportunities. They had ten hits but only managed to score twice, a statistic that would haunt them as the game progressed.
As the game entered the later innings, the Cardinals' bullpen took over, with Cade Winquest handling the Dodgers without issue in the sixth. However, the tension mounted in the eighth when George Soriano walked three batters but managed to escape unscathed, keeping the Dodgers scoreless.
Heading into the ninth with a precarious one-run lead, the Cardinals were unable to add to their tally. After two quick outs, Iván Herrera nearly provided insurance with a drive to the left field wall, but it was caught, leaving the game in the hands of closer Riley O’Brien.
In the bottom of the ninth, O’Brien faced a daunting task. He began by getting Freeland to fly out, but then Tommy Edman, a former Cardinal, stepped up and hit a sharp single, representing the tying run. Edman stole second, putting himself in scoring position just as Mookie Betts walked, setting the stage for Teoscar Hernandez.
On a full count, Hernandez delivered a game-winning double into the left-centerfield gap, scoring both Edman and Betts, sealing the Dodgers' comeback and handing the Cardinals a heartbreaking loss.
With this defeat, the Cardinals now shift their focus to their next series against the Colorado Rockies, where they hope to bounce back. Andre Pallante is set to return from the injured list to take the mound for St. Louis, while the Rockies will counter with Ryan Feltner. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:40 PM Central Time, and fans can catch the action on Cardinals.tv.
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