Dodgers Lose Heartbreaker to Cardinals After Costly Error

On August 8, 2025, the Los Angeles Dodgers suffered a heartbreaking 5-3 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals, dropping the three-game series. The Dodgers had been leading the game in the eighth inning, thanks in part to a home run by Shohei Ohtani, who was the starting pitcher for the day. However, a brutal error by the Dodgers' defense allowed the Cardinals to take the lead, and the Dodgers were unable to mount a comeback.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts acknowledged the tough loss, praising Ohtani's impressive performance on the mound and at the plate. "Shohei was really good today," Roberts said. "The pitching, fastball command, fantastic, really impressive. We figured he would come back and really feel the baseball well today, which he did. And then offensively, the walk, the homer, just really looked good."

The game-deciding play came when a Cardinals' outfielder hit a single into left-center field, tying the game at three. The throw to third base was mishandled, and the Dodgers' attempt to throw the ball to second base resulted in the game-winning run scoring. Roberts took responsibility for the error, saying, "I just felt right there that Alex did not make a good throw. So, that's that. And that happens, and he'll learn from it."

The loss brings the Dodgers' record to 10-17 since July 4, and they have lost significant ground to the San Diego Padres in the NL West. As the summer heats up, the Dodgers will need to regroup and find a way to turn their fortunes around.