The Cardinals beat the Dodgers 3-2 on Aug. 5, 2025, thanks to Yohel Pozo's clutch hit and a game-saving catch by Lars Nootbaar to rob Shohei Ohtani.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
In a season that's suddenly all about the future, the St. Louis Cardinals delivered a thrilling present-day victory, stunning the Los Angeles Dodgers 3-2 on a dramatic ninth-inning pinch-hit single from Yohel Pozo. The win, which brought the team back to .500 at 57-57, was a jolt of excitement after a week defined by selling off major league talent for a massive haul of prospects.
With the tying run on base and Shohei Ohtani at the plate, Lars Nootbaar laid out for a spectacular game-saving diving catch to end it.
The Cardinals entered the ninth inning tied 2-2, but a leadoff single from Willson Contreras set the stage. Pinch-runner Garrett Hampson, showcasing the kind of heads-up baseball this team needs, advanced on a fly ball and then dashed home on Yohel Pozo's clutch single. While Riley O'Brien technically blew the save in the eighth, he vultured his first career win, and JoJo Romero slammed the door in the ninth, but not without help. Lars Nootbaar's incredible diving catch on a sinking liner from Shohei Ohtani robbed the Dodgers of a hit and sealed the improbable victory.
Before the late-game fireworks, Sonny Gray was the story. The Cardinals' ace was simply masterful, carving up the potent Dodgers lineup for seven shutout innings, allowing just one hit while striking out seven. He provided the steady foundation the team desperately needed. The offense came from surprising sources, with Iván Herrera launching a go-ahead two-out homer in the eighth and Masyn Winn breaking a long 32-game homerless drought, offering a glimpse of the young power the team hopes to cultivate.
This thrilling win comes in the immediate aftermath of a franchise-altering trade deadline. President of baseball operations John Mozeliak, in his final deadline before handing the reins to Chaim Bloom, executed a clear pivot to the future. Two-time All-Star closer Ryan Helsley, setup man Phil Maton, and starter Steven Matz were all traded, bringing back a package of six prospects. The haul, headlined by power-hitting shortstop Jesus Baez and righty Nate Dohm, has significantly restocked a farm system now primed to fuel the next wave of Cardinals talent, even if their impact is several years away.
One win doesn't erase a difficult stretch, but it provides a much-needed dose of momentum. The Cardinals will look to build on it Tuesday night, sending veteran Miles Mikolas (6-8, 4.83 ERA) to the mound. He'll face off against the Dodgers' Emmet Sheehan (2-2, 3.60 ERA) as St. Louis aims to secure a massive series win on the road against a top contender.
Last night's win was a perfect snapshot of the 2025 Cardinals: a veteran ace dealing, young players stepping up with power, and an unsung hero delivering in the clutch. While the front office has its eyes firmly on 2026 and beyond with its newly fortified farm system, games like this prove there's still plenty to cheer for right now. The rest of this season is an audition, and last night, the cast passed with flying colors.
