Cardinals 13 - Dodgers 8 (9/1/2026): Saggese Shines With 3 RBIs

The St. Louis Cardinals put on an offensive show at UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium, defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers 13-8. The victory pushes the Cardinals to a 68-70 record, maintaining their 3rd place standing in the NL Central. Meanwhile, the Dodgers, despite the loss, continue to lead the NL West with an 82-55 record.

Cardinals' Offensive Onslaught

The Cardinals' bats came alive early and stayed hot throughout the game. A staggering third inning saw them rack up five runs, setting the tone for the rest of the night. Jordan Walker was a standout performer with three hits, including a homer, and two RBIs.

Other Cardinals making significant contributions included Tres Saggese, who notched three RBIs and went deep for his second home run of the season. Luis Bernal and Javier Báez also added to the long ball tally, each with a home run and multiple RBIs.

It wasn't just the home run ball that made the difference for the Cardinals, as they managed to spread out 13 hits among their lineup. Manager Oliver Marmol must be pleased with the depth of offensive production his team displayed.

Dodgers Struggle to Keep Pace

For the Dodgers, Mookie Betts tried valiantly to keep his team in the game. Betts had two doubles and brought in four runs, showcasing his value to the team's offensive efforts. Will Smith also added two RBIs with a double of his own.

Shohei Ohtani and Tommy Edman contributed to the scoring, each crossing home plate and providing energy at various points. However, the Dodgers' efforts to match the Cardinals' offensive output fell short despite their late rally in the ninth inning, scoring three runs in an attempt to close the gap.

Despite their potent lineup, the Dodgers found themselves overwhelmed by the Cardinals' relentless approach. The Dodgers' pitching staff struggled to contain the Cardinals, surrendering a total of 13 runs.

Pitching Dynamics

On the mound, Michael McGreevy secured the win for the Cardinals, pitching five innings and allowing four runs on five hits. McGreevy's ability to limit damage and maintain composure set the foundation for the Cardinals' victory.

The Dodgers' starter, Eric Lauer, had a rough outing, unable to find his rhythm against the Cardinals' lineup. Lauer's three innings saw him give up seven runs on eight hits, leading to his sixth loss of the season.

The Cardinals' bullpen, led by Logan Gastelum and Roel Ramirez, managed to stifle any potential comeback attempts by the Dodgers. They combined for over three innings of solid relief, allowing minimal runs and maintaining the lead.

The Dodgers' bullpen had its moments, with Kyle Hurt and Evan Hernández providing effective innings. However, Justin Wrobleski struggled, conceding three runs in his two innings of work, further compounding the Dodgers' struggles.

This game served as a demonstration of the Cardinals' offensive capabilities and could be a spark for their late-season push. Looking forward, the Cardinals will seek to continue this momentum as they face the Dodgers again in the coming days.