Orioles 8 - Cardinals 7 (8/26/2026): Taveras Powers Orioles With 3 RBIs

Under the blazing sun at Busch Stadium, the Baltimore Orioles emerged with an 8-7 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals. The Orioles' triumph marked their 64th win of the season, improving their record to 64-68 as they remain in 5th place in the AL East. Meanwhile, the Cardinals slipped to a 66-67 record, holding their spot in 3rd place in the NL Central.

Early Offensive Outburst

Baltimore wasted no time, launching a five-run rally in the opening frame, setting the tone for what would be a high-scoring affair. The second inning saw the Orioles adding two more to their tally, seemingly putting the game out of reach with a quick 7-0 lead. Key contributors included Pete Alonso and Curtis Encarnacion-Strand, who combined for four RBIs, providing a solid cushion for their team.

Despite the early hole, St. Louis responded in the second inning, putting up their first run to avoid a shutout. This glimpse of offense was a prelude to their explosive fifth inning. In that frame, the Cardinals erupted with six runs, fueled by contributions from Alec Burleson and Nolan Gorman, who brought life to the home crowd with their power at the plate.

Pitching Performance and Key Players

On the mound, Baltimore’s Kyle Bradish took the brunt of the Cardinals' comeback, conceding seven runs over 4.33 innings. He allowed nine hits, with one of them being a long ball from Nolan Gorman. The Orioles' bullpen proved crucial, with Grant Wolfram securing the win after a scoreless eighth inning.

St. Louis pitcher Michael McGreevy struggled early, yielding seven runs over five innings, but the bullpen was able to stabilize the game momentarily. Riley O'Brien ultimately took the loss, surrendering the decisive run in the ninth inning. Despite the loss, standout performances from Ivan Herrera and Jordan Walker, each contributing multi-hit games, showed promise for the Cardinals' lineup.

Late Drama and Closing Moments

As the game neared its conclusion, both teams' bullpens settled into a groove, keeping the game tight. The Orioles managed to add a crucial insurance run in the ninth inning, helping them stave off a late Cardinals rally attempt. Alonso and Taveras hit crucial home runs, padding the Orioles' lead and adding pressure on St. Louis.

The Cardinals made efforts to close the gap, but the Orioles' pitching staff, led by Andrew Kittredge in the ninth, kept their lineup in check. With the tying run on base, the Orioles' defense held strong to secure the final out, ensuring their narrow win.

Offensively, the Orioles showcased a balanced attack with Cedric Encarnacion-Strand leading the charge with a four-hit performance. The Orioles racked up 13 hits in total, leaving no room for error for their opponents.

Next Up

Looking ahead, the Orioles will remain in St. Louis for another clash against the Cardinals, aiming to build on their momentum. Baltimore hopes to continue their winning ways as they head to Oakland and Colorado next, with eyes set on climbing the standings in the AL East.

The Cardinals, on the other hand, will seek redemption with their home crowd, eager to tighten their hold on the third spot in the NL Central. Following their series with the Orioles, they will host the Pittsburgh Pirates, aiming to regain their footing and push towards a playoff berth.

The warm evening in St. Louis concluded with the Orioles celebrating a hard-fought win, while the Cardinals regrouped, focusing on their upcoming challenges. Despite the loss, the Cardinals demonstrated resilience, hinting at potential for future games.