Yohel Pozo's walk-off single gives the St. Louis Cardinals a 3-2 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Aug. 5, 2025, capping a thriller started by Sonny Gray.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Just when you thought this one was headed for extras, the Cardinals found a little bit of ninth-inning magic. With two outs and the game knotted at two, pinch-hitter Yohel Pozo stepped to the plate and delivered the biggest hit of his season, a sharp RBI single that stunned the Los Angeles Dodgers and secured a thrilling 3-2 victory for St. Louis.
It was a night of heroes, from Sonny Gray's one-hit gem to Iván Herrera's go-ahead blast and finally, Yohel Pozo's two-out, game-winning single in the ninth.
Before the late-game fireworks, this was the Sonny Gray show, plain and simple. The Cardinals' ace was absolutely masterful, carving up a potent Dodgers lineup for seven dominant innings. He allowed just a single hit and one run while striking out seven, completely outdueling LA's own ace, Tyler Glasnow. It was the kind of performance that gives a team a chance to win any night, and the Cards needed every bit of it.
The offense provided just enough pop at just the right times. First, it was Masyn Winn, who finally broke a 32-game homerless drought with a solo shot in the second inning to get the Cardinals on the board. Then, after the Dodgers tied it, Iván Herrera stepped up in the eighth, launching a massive two-out home run to give the Cardinals a late lead. Both blasts were crucial in keeping pace and setting the stage for the final inning.
The bullpen made things interesting, to say the least. Riley O'Brien, in line for the hold, instead allowed the tying run in the eighth but ended up with his first career MLB win (1-0) thanks to the team's rally. In the ninth, JoJo Romero was tasked with closing it out. After a leadoff single to Shohei Ohtani, the tension was palpable, but Romero buckled down, ultimately getting Max Muncy to fly out with two runners on to lock down his second save and a huge team win.
This thrilling win, which brings the team back to .500 (57-57), comes with a fascinating backdrop. Just days after President of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak signaled a transition by trading away veterans like Ryan Helsley for six new prospects, the on-field product showed incredible fight. It's a reminder that even in a rebuilding phase, the games still matter. Down on the farm, that future is shining bright. Top prospect JJ Wetherholt is hitting .344 in Triple-A, reinforcing the front office's focus on reloading the system.
What a night. A win like this against a powerhouse like the Dodgers is a shot of adrenaline for the players and the fanbase. While the front office's eyes are clearly set on 2026 and beyond, games like these prove there's still plenty of talent and grit in the big-league clubhouse. It's the perfect blend of present-day excitement and future hope, and for one night, it was a blast to watch.
