Orioles 13 - Cardinals 1 (8/25/2026): Alonso's 4 RBIs Spark Rout

The Baltimore Orioles delivered a commanding performance against the St. Louis Cardinals, clinching a 13–1 victory at Busch Stadium. The win was a much-needed boost for the Orioles, who now hold a 63-68 record, sitting in fifth place in the AL East. Meanwhile, the Cardinals find themselves with a balanced 66-66 record, placing them third in the NL Central.

The evening's sweltering heat did not deter the Orioles' offense, which exploded with 16 hits. Pete Alonso led the charge, going 4-for-4 with a home run and four RBIs. Alonso's batting average now stands at .270, complemented by a strong OPS of .860.

Offensive Surge by Orioles

The Orioles initiated their scoring spree in the third inning with a four-run rally and continued their offensive onslaught in the fifth with an eight-run burst. The scoring was capped by an additional run in the sixth inning. Collectively, the team demonstrated patience and power at the plate, with Alonso and Christian Encarnacion-Strand each launching a home run.

Jackson Holliday also had an impactful game with three hits and a run scored, while Leody Taveras and Daniel Beavers each added two hits to the tally. Coby Mayo contributed with a hit and an RBI, showcasing the depth of Baltimore's batting lineup.

Despite the Cardinals’ efforts, their bats struggled to make an impact against the Orioles' pitching. Only Brady Jordan and Nick Church managed multi-hit performances, with Church's solo home run in the third inning marking the Cardinals' sole run of the game.

Orioles' Pitching Dominance

Chris Bassitt was stellar on the mound for the Orioles, earning the win with a solid 6.67 innings pitched. He allowed just one run on six hits, striking out five Cardinals and conceding only one home run. Bassitt's performance saw his ERA dip slightly to 5.08, a reassuring sign for Baltimore's pitching staff.

The bullpen was equally efficient, with Yennier Cano and Adrian Nunez combining to close the game without surrendering any additional runs. Nunez stood out with five strikeouts over two innings, further stifling the Cardinals' lineup.

The Cardinals' starter, Matthew Liberatore, endured a tough outing, taking the loss after allowing eight runs on eight hits over four innings. His ERA rose to 5.04 following this challenging performance. The bullpen also struggled, with Peter Strzelecki giving up four runs in just a third of an inning.

Looking Ahead

As the Orioles aim to build on this victory, they look forward to their next games against the Cardinals, hoping to carry forward the momentum. The Cardinals, on the other hand, will seek to rebound from this defeat and tighten their grip on the middle of the NL Central standings.

Both teams are set for a rematch at Busch Stadium, with the Orioles keen on improving their road record of 29-34. With consecutive games against the Cardinals, Baltimore's manager Craig Albernaz will likely strategize to maintain the offensive and defensive balance displayed in this win.

The Cardinals will need to regroup under manager Oliver Marmol's leadership, focusing on improving their home performance, which currently stands at 32-34. With the postseason approaching, each game becomes increasingly critical for teams aspiring for playoff contention.

This game highlighted the Orioles' potential when their offense clicks, and they'll need consistent performances to rise in the AL East standings. For the Cardinals, refining their pitching and capitalizing on scoring opportunities will be vital to their success in the upcoming series.

Both teams have several pivotal games ahead, and the response from this matchup will be crucial in shaping the trajectory of their respective seasons. With the MLB regular season nearing its climax, every win counts as they strive to finish strong.