Orioles Defeat Cardinals in Thrilling 8-7 Game on Aug 26, 2026 The Baltimore Orioles secured a dramatic 8-7 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals in a tightly contested game on Wednesday night, Aug 26, 2026. The Orioles, trailing for much of the contest, managed to rally after squandering a seven-run lead in the second inning, ultimately prevailing thanks to a clutch tiebreaking RBI double by Christian Encarnacion-Strand. The win kept the Orioles within 2.5 games of the Cleveland Guardians in the race for the final American League wild-card spot. The game began with the Orioles taking an early lead, as Encarnacion-Strand and Dylan Beavers each contributed RBI singles in the first inning. Leody Taveras extended the advantage with a three-run home run, making it 5-0. The Orioles further padded their lead in the second inning when Pete Alonso launched his 32nd home run of the season, a two-run shot to right field. Alonso’s blast brought the score to 7-0, showcasing his dominance as the team’s leading hitter. However, the Cardinals mounted a formidable comeback, scoring six runs in the fifth inning. Nolan Gorman opened the rally with a solo home run, and Alec Burson, Jordan Walker, and Nathan Church each added runs with RBI hits, bringing St. Louis within a single run. José Fermín tied the game at 7 with an RBI groundout, setting the stage for a tense ninth inning. The Orioles’ bullpen stepped up in the final frame, with Grant Wolfram retiring all three batters in the eighth inning. Andrew Kittredge then closed the game with a one-hit ninth, securing the win and his seventh save of the season. The Orioles’ starter, Kyle Bradish, struggled with control, allowing seven runs on nine hits over 4 1/3 innings, but the relief corps held the Cardinals scoreless for the final 4 2/3 innings.#baltimore_orioles #st_louis_cardinals #pete_alonso #christian_encarnacion_strand #nolan_gorman
