Jordan Walker's clutch 8th-inning single leads the Cardinals to a 5-3 win, spoiling Shohei Ohtani's 1,000th hit night vs. the Dodgers on Aug. 7, 2025.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Just when you thought this was another rebuilding-year loss against a superstar, the St. Louis Cardinals flipped the script. In a game where Shohei Ohtani made history with his 1,000th career hit, it was a last-minute lineup addition, Jordan Walker, who stole the show, leading a dramatic eighth-inning rally to secure a gritty 5-3 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Jordan Walker, only in the lineup because of a stomach bug, delivered three hits, including the game-tying two-run single in the eighth.
Jordan Walker wasn't even supposed to be in the lineup Thursday. When Willson Contreras was scratched late with a stomach bug, Walker was thrust into the spotlight, and he didn't just fill in—he took over. The young outfielder was the offensive catalyst all night, capping a three-hit performance with a laser-beam single in the eighth inning that scored two, tied the game, and set the stage for the go-ahead run to score on a subsequent error. It was a clutch performance that showed exactly the kind of potential the front office is banking on for the future.
The Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani did his part, striking out eight batters in four innings and launching a home run for his 1,000th career MLB hit. On most nights, that's the only story. But the Cardinals' bullpen refused to let the milestone dictate the outcome. After Ohtani exited, the Cards went to work. JoJo Romero pitched a clean inning to earn the win, and in a fantastic moment for the new-look bullpen, Riley O’Brien slammed the door in the ninth to record his first-ever major league save. Beating the Dodgers is always sweet, but doing it on a night like this is a statement.
This win feels different, coming just days after a trade deadline that signaled a major shift in philosophy. With President of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak conducting his final deadline before handing the reins to Chaim Bloom, the team traded away key veterans like Ryan Helsley, Phil Maton, and Steven Matz. The goal was clear: restock the farm system for the future. The six prospects acquired, headlined by shortstop Jesus Baez and pitcher Nate Dohm, represent the new foundation. Thursday's victory, powered by youth and resilience, felt like a perfect, if unintentional, kickoff to the Bloom era.
The focus on the future isn't just about trades. Down in Triple-A Memphis, starter Aaron Wilkerson continues to impress, firing five scoreless innings with five strikeouts on Tuesday. While the Redbirds' bullpen couldn't hold the lead, Wilkerson's performance is another encouraging sign. Further down, Christian Martin is tearing it up for Palm Beach, earning The Cardinal Nation's Player of the Day honors after a fantastic doubleheader. The talent pipeline is being refilled, and the next wave of Cardinals is already making noise.
One win in August doesn't define a season, but this was more than just a win. It was a showcase of grit, a glimpse of the young talent ready to step up, and a preview of a team being built to compete in a different way. As Chaim Bloom officially takes the helm, this victory over the Dodgers serves as a powerful reminder: even in a transition year, you can never count out the Cardinals.
