Despite Shohei Ohtani’s 1,000th home run and eight strikeouts, the Cardinals defeat the Dodgers 5-3 to win the series against Los Angeles for the first time since 2019.
In a game marked by both milestone achievements and a hard-fought team effort, the St. Louis Cardinals managed to pull off a 5-3 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers, clinching a series win against the perennial NL West powerhouse for the first time since 2019. The story of the game was undoubtedly Shohei Ohtani’s historic 1,000th home run — a fictional but awe-inspiring feat that will surely be talked about for generations. Yet despite the legendary slugger’s performance, which also included eight strikeouts on the mound, the Cardinals’ balanced offense, timely pitching, and grit carried them to a win that reverberated far beyond the box score.
Ohtani’s career has been defined by its improbability. Since arriving in the Major Leagues from Japan, he has consistently defied expectations. A two-way phenom in an era when specialization dominates, Ohtani has not only thrived but also reshaped the narrative of what a baseball player can be. His 1,000th home run — a towering blast in the top of the third inning — came on a 2-1 fastball that he deposited deep into the right-field bleachers at Busch Stadium. The crack of the bat echoed like a cannon shot, and for a moment, even the hometown crowd gave a respectful cheer as the ball sailed into the night. Cameras flashed, teammates poured out of the dugout, and the scoreboard paid tribute to an accomplishment never before achieved in MLB history.
Still, the Cardinals were not there to play supporting roles in Ohtani’s cinematic moment. From the first pitch, they played with purpose and energy. Leadoff hitter Tommy Edman worked a walk against Ohtani in the bottom of the first inning, setting the tone for a team that has struggled to find its identity throughout the 2025 season. Nolan Gorman followed with a sharp single to right, and after Paul Goldschmidt struck out on a well-placed splitter, rookie sensation Elijah Burleson drove in the first run with a line drive down the third base line that rattled into the corner for a double. The crowd erupted, sensing that this wasn’t going to be a game dictated solely by the Dodgers’ star power.
Ohtani, for all his dominance, labored at times. He finished with eight strikeouts over six innings, allowing three earned runs on seven hits. His command was mostly sharp, but the Cardinals made him work deep into counts. Each inning felt like a chess match, with the Cardinals grinding out at-bats and taking advantage of the few mistakes he offered. In the fifth, after the Dodgers had tied the game at 2-2 thanks to a clutch RBI single from Freddie Freeman, St. Louis responded again. Lars Nootbaar led off with a triple into the right-center gap, and after two quick outs, Edman delivered a perfectly placed bunt single down the third base line to give the Cardinals a 3-2 lead.
The Cardinals’ pitching staff deserves significant credit for the win, especially given the caliber of the Dodgers’ lineup. Starter Miles Mikolas was sharp through six innings, allowing only two runs while keeping hitters off balance with his usual mix of off-speed pitches and pinpoint location. His only major blemish was the homer to Ohtani, which might have rattled some pitchers, but Mikolas remained composed. He induced double-play balls in both the fourth and fifth innings and retired the side in order in the sixth.
Perhaps the most critical moment came in the top of the seventh. With Mikolas out of the game and the Cardinals clinging to a 3-2 lead, the Dodgers loaded the bases with one out against reliever Giovanny Gallegos. Mookie Betts came to the plate, representing the go-ahead run, and launched a 1-2 pitch deep to center. The ball appeared destined for extra bases, but Dylan Carlson made a leaping catch at the warning track to rob Betts and hold the runners. The crowd, momentarily holding its breath, erupted as Carlson crashed into the wall and popped up with the ball still in his glove. The sacrifice fly tied the game at 3-3, but it felt like a minor victory for the Cardinals, who limited the damage and escaped the inning without further harm.
Then came the bottom of the seventh, when the Cardinals retook control. Facing Dodgers reliever Blake Treinen, who had been nearly untouchable in his last five outings, the Cardinals mounted a two-out rally. Brendan Donovan walked, and Gorman followed with a single to left, putting runners at the corners. Goldschmidt, enduring a tough season but still capable of big moments, laced a double down the left field line to score both runners and give St. Louis a 5-3 lead. Goldschmidt pumped his fist as he stood on second base, and the Cardinals’ dugout erupted with energy, knowing they had just swung the momentum back in their favor.
The bullpen held steady from there. Ryan Helsley, the team’s All-Star closer, took the mound in the ninth to face the heart of the Dodgers order. He struck out Will Smith on a high fastball, got Max Muncy to ground out to second, and then, fittingly, faced Ohtani with two outs. The crowd buzzed with anticipation. Ohtani worked the count full, fouling off multiple pitches. On the seventh pitch of the at-bat, Helsley fired a 101 mph fastball just above the letters. Ohtani swung through it. Strike three. Game over.
As the Cardinals rushed the field to celebrate the win and the series triumph, Ohtani walked slowly back to the dugout, greeted by his teammates with high fives and admiration. His 1,000th home run would remain the headline, and rightly so — it was a feat that transcends sport. But on this night, it was the Cardinals who emerged victorious, demonstrating that baseball remains a team game, no matter how bright one star might shine.
For the Dodgers, the series loss highlighted some lingering issues that have quietly plagued them despite their impressive record. The middle of the bullpen has been inconsistent, and although the offense remains formidable, it has grown increasingly reliant on Ohtani, Freeman, and Betts to carry the load. Against teams that can pitch effectively to that trio and generate runs from the bottom of the order, the Dodgers appear vulnerable. Manager Dave Roberts downplayed the loss after the game, noting that it’s a long season and that milestones like Ohtani’s are a reason to celebrate, even in defeat. Still, he acknowledged that they need to clean up execution in key spots if they want to make a deep postseason run.
For St. Louis, the win could represent a turning point. It’s been a frustrating year in many respects, with injuries and inconsistent play marring what was supposed to be a bounce-back campaign. But this series showed what the Cardinals are capable of when they play clean, aggressive baseball. Young players like Burleson and Gorman continue to blossom, veterans like Goldschmidt and Arenado (who chipped in with key defensive plays) still have plenty left in the tank, and the pitching staff seems to be finding its rhythm at the right time. Most importantly, the team is playing with confidence, and in a division that remains up for grabs, that might be the most important development of all.
Ohtani, for his part, handled the postgame media scrum with his usual humility. Speaking through a translator, he expressed gratitude for reaching such a historic number and credited his teammates, coaches, and fans for their support. When asked how it felt to hit number 1,000, he paused for a moment and smiled. “I just try to help the team win,” he said. “I would rather win the game than hit a milestone. But I’m thankful.”
In a sport that often leans heavily on its statistical past, Ohtani continues to write a future that once seemed impossible. His name now stands alone atop the home run leaderboard, a testament to talent, discipline, and relentless drive. But even on a night when he reached the highest of individual summits, it was the Cardinals — resilient, inspired, and opportunistic — who walked away with the win and the series.
As the season moves into its final third, both teams will look ahead with urgency. For the Dodgers, it’s about fine-tuning for October and making sure their stars are healthy and productive when the games matter most. For the Cardinals, it’s about building momentum, staying healthy, and proving that this series wasn’t an anomaly, but rather a glimpse of a team rediscovering its identity and pride.
Ultimately, the night will be remembered for Shohei Ohtani’s 1,000th home run — and rightly so. But it will also serve as a reminder that baseball, even when played in the shadow of greatness, remains unpredictable, democratic, and beautifully team-oriented. The Cardinals didn’t just survive the spectacle. They thrived within it, and in doing so, reminded everyone that even in the presence of legends, it still takes nine players to win a game.
