Quick Answer
The St. Louis Cardinals beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 13-8 at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday, September 1, 2026. Thomas Saggese hit two home runs, Jordan Walker and Ramón Urías went deep, and Joshua Báez added a solo shot as St. Louis smashed five home runs in the win. It was the most runs the Cardinals have ever scored at Dodger Stadium.
In the latest Cardinals vs Dodgers matchup, St. Louis delivered an impressive offensive show at Dodger Stadium. The St. Louis Cardinals beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 13-8 on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, powered by a historic five-home-run performance.
Baseball fans across the UK and the US have been searching for the same thing: what actually happened when the Cardinals took on the Dodgers this week. If you missed the game or just want a clear, no-fuss recap, you’re in the right place. Below, we break down the final score, the biggest moments, and what it means for both teams going forward.
Final Score: Cardinals 13, Dodgers 8
St. Louis entered Dodger Stadium as the underdog, losers of seven of their last nine games, including being outscored by a large margin in the span of those games. No one expected fireworks. But on Tuesday night the bats came out in full force for the Cardinals who left Los Angeles with a win.
The final score was Cardinals 13, Dodgers 8. The win marks the most runs scored by the Cardinals at Dodger Stadium since the park opened in 1962.
How the Game Unfolded
A Fast Start for St. Louis
The Cardinals didn’t waste any time. In the second inning, Ramón Urías and Thomas Saggese hit consecutive home runs off of the Dodger’s opening pitcher Eric Lauer, giving St. Louis an early 2-0 lead.
The Cards would add on in the third, loading the bases twice and plating five runs in the inning. Rookie catcher Leo Bernal, who was called up when rosters expanded on September 1st, delivered a two-run single for the first hit of his major league career, also driving in two runs in his debut. The rookie’s walk-up music was saved next to the team’s record book, after his two-run single in the third. St. Louis would hold a 7-0 lead after the third inning.
The Dodgers Fight Back
Los Angeles did not quit. Mookie Betts, who finished with four RBIs, hit a three-run double in the third inning to score the Dodgers first points. He then hit another RBI double in the fifth inning, keeping the team right in the game.
However, the big names in the Dodgers hitting attack were held to a combined one for seven with three strikeouts. Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, and Max Muncy failed to produce against the Yankees pitching attack.
Cardinals Pull Away
Jordan Walker, Home Run Derby champion this year, answered with a two-run home run in the fourth inning. The rookie hit a two-run homer in the fourth inning to put the Cardinals ahead 9-3. Walker has hit 28 home runs this season and driven in 99 runs, one of the best marks in the Majors.
Saggese was not done, he hit his second home run of the game in the fifth inning, making it 10-3. Then Joshua Báez followed suit, hitting a solo shot in the seventh, giving the Cards an 11-4 lead and tying the team record for most home runs in a game with five.
The Dodgers tied the game in the ninth with three late runs against a rookie reliever, but they were too late.
Key Numbers From the Game
- Final score: Cardinals 13, Dodgers 8
- Home runs: Cardinals hit five (Saggese x2, Walker, Urías, Báez)
- Winning pitcher: Michael McGreevy, who allowed four runs over five innings
- Losing pitcher: Eric Lauer, who gave up seven runs on eight hits in just three innings — his worst outing since joining the Dodgers
- Standout performer: Mookie Betts, four RBIs for Los Angeles despite the loss
- Debut moment: Leo Bernal recorded his first MLB hit and drove in two runs
What This Means Going Forward
This win is huge for St. Louis. The Cardinals were right there in the playoff race and this victory put them within 4 games of the last NL wild card spot. After such a losing streak, the Cards needed a high-scoring road win, especially against the defending two-time world champions, to give them that boost they needed to finish the season strong.
For the Dodgers it was another issue, as they’ve lost five of their last seven games in the city of angels, and questions have been raised about their offense, especially with two players who’ve had somewhat quiet seasons at the plate, Ohtani and Freeman. Manager David Roberts and his staff members will be trying their best to turn this around as quickly as possible, in order to look good for the postseason.
The two teams weren’t done with each other either, as St. Louis and Los Angeles looked to continue their series, because the Cardinals would face an even better line-up in terms of pitching for them in future games.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who won the Cardinals vs Dodgers game? The St. Louis Cardinals won 13-8 over the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on September 1, 2026.
Who hit home runs for the Cardinals? Thomas Saggese hit two home runs, while Jordan Walker, Ramón Urías, and Joshua Báez each added one, giving the Cardinals five home runs in total for the game.
How many runs did the Cardinals score at Dodger Stadium? Thirteen runs, which is the most the Cardinals have ever scored in a single game at Dodger Stadium since it opened in 1962.
Who was the winning and losing pitcher? Michael McGreevy earned the win for the Cardinals. Eric Lauer took the loss for the Dodgers after allowing seven runs in three innings.
Did Shohei Ohtani play in this game? Yes, but he had a quiet night, going 0-for-3 as part of a combined 1-for-7 showing from Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, and Max Muncy.
What does this win mean for the Cardinals’ playoff chances? It pulled St. Louis within four games of the final National League wild-card spot, keeping their postseason hopes alive.
Related Questions
Was this a must-win game for the Cardinals?
Not technically a must-win, but with the Cardinals fighting for a wild-card spot late in the season, every game carries extra weight. This win was an important step in their push for October baseball.
How have the Dodgers been performing recently?
Struggling. Before this game, Los Angeles had already dropped four of six games on a road trip and had gone through an extended cold stretch offensively, especially from star players like Ohtani and Freeman.
Who is Leo Bernal?
Leo Bernal is a top Cardinals catching prospect who was called up when MLB rosters expanded on September 1. He made an immediate impact with a two-run single in his very first major league at-bat.
When do the Cardinals and Dodgers play again?
The two teams continued their series at Dodger Stadium right after this game, with the Cardinals facing tougher Dodgers pitching in the following matchups.
