Saggese Delivers Go-Ahead Infield Single in 10th, Cardinals Edge Dodgers 8-6
Source: ABC News Sports. Casualplayhub News adds summary, context, and editorial framing while linking back to the original report.
LOS ANGELES -- In a seesaw affair that tested both bullpens and nerves, the St. Louis Cardinals clawed back from multiple deficits to defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers 8-6 in 10 innings Wednesday night. The decisive moment came off the bat of rookie Thomas Saggese, who punched a two-strike infield single that scored automatic runner José Fermín, giving St. Louis its first lead of the night in the top of the 10th.
The inning began with Fermín placed on second base per the extra-inning rule. Nathan Church, facing Dodgers reliever Brock Stewart, lined a single to center that advanced Fermín to third. Saggese then worked a full count before sending a grounder to second base, allowing Fermín to race home and break a 5-5 tie. The Cardinals widened the margin on a double by pinch-hitter Joshua Báez, who entered in the eighth inning and later scored on Alec Burleson’s sacrifice fly.
Riley O’Brien, the Cardinals closer, worked a clean bottom of the 10th to secure his 35th save of the season. O’Brien induced a strikeout of Shohei Ohtani, who had already struck out four times in the game, stranding the automatic runner at third base.
Earlier, the Dodgers seized control with a three-run first inning. Freddie Freeman, mired in a 47-game homerless streak, launched a 416-foot blast to center field off Cardinals opener Brycen Mautz. The shot scored Ohtani (who walked) and Tommy Edman (hit by a pitch), snapping Freeman’s drought that dated back to July 3. Mautz struggled with command, walking two more batters and allowing a single to Miguel Rojas as the Dodgers batted around.
Dodgers starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto was nearly untouchable through five innings, retiring the first 15 batters in order. His only blemish was a walk to Fermín in the fifth. The no-hit bid ended in the sixth when Fermín led off with a single. After Church grounded into a fielder’s choice, Saggese launched a two-run homer to cut the deficit to 3-2. Yamamoto finished with seven innings, allowing four runs on five hits while striking out eight.
Los Angeles responded in the bottom half. Mookie Betts crushed a two-run shot off reliever George Soriano, pushing the Dodgers’ lead to 5-2. But the Cardinals chipped away again in the seventh. Leo Bernal, making just his second big league appearance, delivered a two-run homer, his first in the majors, to make it 5-4. The rookie had a two-run single in his MLB debut the previous night.
St. Louis tied the game in the eighth. Báez doubled off reliever Tanner Scott, then scored on a sacrifice fly by Burleson. The Dodgers had a chance to win in the ninth. Teoscar Hernández hit a ground-rule double and advanced to third on a wild pitch by Justin Bruihl (1-1). But pinch-hitter Kiké Hernández struck out, and pinch-hitter Will Smith flied out to end the threat.
The Dodgers, who lead the National League West, have now lost six of their last eight games. Ohtani’s four-strikeout performance marked the first time this season he has fanned four consecutive times in a game. The series concludes Thursday with Cardinals left-hander Quinn Mathews (1-2, 5.03 ERA) facing Dodgers lefty Tarik Skubal (8-7, 2.84).
Article commentary
The Cardinals’ 8-6 extra-inning victory over the Dodgers was a testament to their resilience and ability to manufacture runs in high-leverage situations. Trailing 3-0, 5-2, and 5-4, St. Louis never panicked, leaning on contributions from young players like Thomas Saggese and Leo Bernal, both of whom are carving out roles in the thick of a playoff push. Saggese, who homered in Tuesday’s win, again showed a knack for clutch hitting, while Bernal’s first major league homer arrived in only his second game — a promising sign for a Cardinals organization that has emphasized youth development this season. On the Dodgers’ side, the loss exposed several vulnerabilities that could prove costly in October. Freddie Freeman’s three-run homer in the first snapped a 47-game drought, but the offense stalled afterward. Shohei Ohtani’s four consecutive strikeouts were especially alarming. The superstar designated hitter has been a force all year, but his inability to put the ball in play with a runner on third in the 10th highlighted a rare off night. Additionally, the Dodgers’ bullpen, which had been a strength, faltered in the late innings. Brock Stewart, Tanner Scott, and the rest of the relief corps could not hold multiple leads, and the team’s inability to cash in with the winning run on third in the ninth was a missed opportunity. Defensively, Los Angeles was sound, but the lack of timely hitting — particularly from the bottom of the order — has been a recurring theme during their recent 2-6 stretch. The Dodgers still hold a comfortable lead in the NL West, but games like this serve as a reminder that even the most talented teams must execute in close contests. The starting pitching from Yoshinobu Yamamoto was excellent through five innings, but he lacked the shutdown inning to prevent the Cardinals from chipping away. From a strategic perspective, Cardinals manager used an opener (Brycen Mautz) and then turned to a series of relievers, a tactic that kept the Dodgers’ hitters off balance after the first inning. The decision to bring in Justin Bruihl in the ninth worked despite the wild pitch, and Riley O’Brien continues to solidify the closer role. The Cardinals’ ability to score without the benefit of a hit in the 10th — using a single, a fielder’s choice, and a groundout — speaks to their disciplined approach in extra innings. Looking ahead, the series finale Thursday features a matchup of left-handers: Quinn Mathews for the Cardinals and Tarik Skubal for the Dodgers. Both pitchers have shown flashes of dominance, but consistency has been an issue. For the Cardinals, continuing to get production from young players like Saggese and Bernal will be critical as they chase a wild card berth. For the Dodgers, the focus will be on re-establishing offensive rhythm and tightening the bullpen before the postseason. The loss may sting, but it also provides a valuable lesson in the margins of a game that can swing on a two-strike infield single.