Dodgers Bullpen Struggles Again in Loss to Cardinals Series

The Los Angeles Dodgers dropped a tough 5-3 game to the St. Louis Cardinals in the series finale. Late-inning struggles and defensive mistakes made it sting even more.

Shohei Ohtani had his usual flashes of brilliance, both on the mound and at the plate. He hit a major career milestone, but the Dodgers’ bullpen and defense just couldn’t hold up when it counted.

This loss ended their season series against the Cardinals with a 2-4 record. It also snapped their long streak of winning every series since late July.

Shohei Ohtani Shines Once Again

Ohtani led the Dodgers into the finale and wasted no time making his mark. He retired the top of the Cardinals’ lineup on just 11 pitches in the first inning.

Then, in the third inning, Ohtani really made some noise.

1,000 Hits and a Moonshot Homer

St. Louis jumped ahead early after a sun-blinded infield fly and a bunt single. Ohtani answered right back with a 440-foot two-run homer.

That blast shifted the momentum and gave Ohtani his 1,000th MLB hit. He now joins Ichiro Suzuki and Hideki Matsui as the only Japanese-born players to reach that mark.

The home run got the fans buzzing and showed, yet again, Ohtani’s relentless drive. He just doesn’t let up.

Command on the Mound

Ohtani didn’t just shine with the bat. Over four innings, he struck out eight Cardinals, allowing only two hits and no walks.

He left the game with his ERA down to 2.37, making his case for postseason awards even stronger. But with his early exit, the Dodgers had to trust their bullpen, which ended up being a risky bet.

Dodgers Capitalize on Cardinals Errors…Briefly

Momentum seemed to swing Los Angeles’ way in the fourth inning. A wild pitch and a defensive mistake let the Dodgers grab a slim lead.

Justin Wrobleski, the young lefty, pitched solidly in middle relief. The Dodgers looked like they might finish the series on a high note.

The Bullpen Crumbles in the Eighth

Then came the eighth inning, and things fell apart. Alex Vesia struggled under pressure, and the Cardinals’ offense took advantage—tying the game and then pulling ahead after a costly throwing error.

The Dodgers’ relief pitching showed its weak spots again, a worrying trend this season. Defensive mistakes just made things worse, giving St. Louis chances they probably shouldn’t have had.

• Shohei Ohtani’s Historic Season Continues: The two-way superstar notched his 1,000th MLB hit and keeps proving he’s one of baseball’s most valuable players.
• Bullpen Inconsistencies Loom Large: The Dodgers’ bullpen faltered in another high-pressure spot, which has to be a concern with October getting closer.
• Defensive Miscues Prove Costly: Sloppy fielding played a big role in this loss, showing how important it is to stay sharp in close games.
• Series Streak Snapped: For the first time since late July, the Dodgers dropped a series. Even the best teams stumble now and then, right?

Looking Ahead

The Dodgers have to regroup fast as they get ready for their next stretch of games. Their season’s been incredible so far, but this series exposed a few issues that can’t be ignored.

The bullpen needs to step up, and the defense has to tighten up too. If the Dodgers want another championship, these are the spots to watch.

Shohei Ohtani turned heads on Sunday and just keeps proving he’s one of MLB’s most exciting players. With 1,000 career hits, what can’t he do?

Maybe this loss is just a bump in the road, and with Ohtani leading the charge, the Dodgers could find their groove again.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Dodgers bullpen loses second game of series to Cardinals