Dodgers fall to Cardinals 5-3 on June 8, 2025, extending their losing streak. Despite a Shohei Ohtani homer and Clayton Kershaw's return, LA couldn't rally.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a day of conflicting emotions for Dodger fans. The much-anticipated return of Clayton Kershaw to the mound and another towering home run from Shohei Ohtani were overshadowed by a frustrating 5-3 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals, capping a four-game road losing streak. While the individual brilliance was on full display, the team's recent struggles with execution left a sour taste as they departed Busch Stadium.
'We have to play cleaner baseball. The little things are costing us right now, but I believe in this group.' - Dave Roberts
The Dodgers just couldn't get over the hump on Sunday. A two-run homer by Nolan Arenado off Kershaw in the third inning put them in a hole, and despite chipping away, they never led. The offense showed signs of life, with Shohei Ohtani's solo shot and two hits from Mookie Betts, but it wasn't enough. The biggest frustration came in the ninth inning, when LA loaded the bases with two outs, only for Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley to strike out Max Muncy and end the threat. Two defensive errors added to the woes, leading to an unearned run and prompting manager Dave Roberts to stress the need for improvement.
The biggest positive of the day was seeing Clayton Kershaw back on a big-league mound. Activated from the IL before the game after a bout with shoulder inflammation, the veteran lefty made his first start since May 1. He battled through five innings, throwing 85 pitches and striking out six. While he allowed four earned runs on seven hits, getting the future Hall of Famer back in the rotation is a massive win for the Dodgers' long-term plans. To make room, reliever Ben Casparius was optioned to Triple-A.
While the team lost, Shohei Ohtani continues to be a one-man wrecking crew. He blasted his 18th home run of the season in the sixth inning, a solo shot that kept the Dodgers in the game. Ohtani went 2-for-4, and his recent tear is nothing short of remarkable. Over his last 10 games, he's batting .350 with five homers and 12 RBIs. 'Shohei's locked in right now,' Dave Roberts said postgame. 'He's giving us a chance every night.' His performance is a constant, powerful silver lining in this recent slump.
For fans looking for more good news, look no further than Double-A Tulsa. Top outfield prospect Josue De Paula provided the fireworks, hitting a walk-off two-run homer to give the Drillers a 6-5 victory. The 20-year-old phenom is having a monster season, batting .312 with 12 home runs and 38 RBIs. De Paula's continued development is a thrilling reminder of the talent pipeline that keeps the Dodgers competitive year after year.
Losing four straight is never easy, especially on the road. But let's take a breath. The Dodgers (38-28) are still in first place, Kershaw is back, and Ohtani is playing like an MVP. The key, as Dave Roberts noted, is cleaning up the small mistakes. If they can tighten up the defense and get more timely hits, this skid will be a distant memory. The talent is there; now it's time to put it all together and get back in the win column.
