Full Breakdown
Christian Encarnación-Strand’s Ninth-Inning Double Powers Orioles’ Comeback Win Over Cardinals
8/28/2026, 5:59:47 AM
Game Overview
The Baltimore Orioles rallied from a 7-0 deficit to defeat the St. Louis Cardinals 8-7 on Wednesday night in St. Louis. After Leody Taveras’s three-run first-inning homer and Pete Alonso’s two-run second-inning blast gave the Orioles a 7-0 lead, starter Kyle Bradish surrendered six runs in the fifth, allowing the Cardinals to tie the game at 7-7. A two-strike, two-out ninth-inning double by Christian Encarnación-Strand drove in pinch-runner Luis Vázquez for the winning run. Andrew Kittredge recorded his seventh save as the bullpen combined for 4 2/3 scoreless innings. The win moved Baltimore to a 65-68 record, keeping the club 2½ games behind the Cleveland Guardians for the final AL wild-card spot.
Key Plays and Player Contributions
- Early offense: Taveras’s three-run homer and Alonso’s two-run shot built the 7-0 lead.
- Bradish’s collapse: Bradish allowed seven runs on nine hits in 4 1/3 innings, including a two-run single by Alec Burleson and a double by Jordan Walker that sparked the Cardinals’ comeback.
- Cardinals’ rally: Nolan Gorman’s second-inning homer and a two-run single by Burleson narrowed the gap; a two-run double by Nathan Church tied the game.
- Encarnación-Strand’s impact: The third-baseman collected four hits, including the decisive double, and made a defensive play on a 108.7 mph line drive before recording an out at first.
- Bullpen work: Relievers Alex Hoppe, Josh Walker, Rico Garcia, Grant Wolfram and Kittredge allowed two hits and three walks while striking out three across the final 4 2/3 innings.
Impact on the Wild-Card Race
The win preserved Baltimore’s proximity to the postseason, leaving the Orioles 2½ games behind Cleveland for the third wild-card berth. The Guardians have continued their winning streak, heightening the importance of the upcoming series finale, in which left-hander Trevor Rogers (9-8, 4.14 ERA) is slated to start for Baltimore.
Official Statements & Responses
Manager Craig Albernaz praised Encarnación-Strand’s “huge” contribution both offensively and defensively since stepping in for the injured Blaze Alexander. Reliever Andrew Kittredge described the bullpen’s performance as “good” and emphasized the team’s focus on playing “one game at a time” amid the playoff push. Bradish attributed the fifth-inning collapse to “those two walks,” acknowledging the pivotal role of the consecutive free passes.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I’ve gotten to watch Christian since college do this,” — Jackson Holliday
- “Just his demeanor and approach has always been very steady and very professional,” — Jackson Holliday
- “I just think it comes down to those two walks,” — Kyle Bradish
- “Honestly, I try not to think too much about it,” — Andrew Kittredge
Data & Statistics
- Final score: Orioles 8, Cardinals 7
- Hits: Orioles 13; Cardinals 10
- Starting pitchers: Kyle Bradish (Orioles) – 4 1/3 IP, 7 R; Michael McGreevy (Cardinals) – 5 IP, 7 R
- Saves: Andrew Kittredge (7th)
- Team records: Orioles 65-68; Cardinals 66-68
- Wild-card gap: 2½ games behind Cleveland
The game illustrated Baltimore’s resilience after a blown lead, with Encarnación-Strand’s clutch hitting and the bullpen’s steadiness positioning the Orioles as a viable wild-card contender heading into the final series of the road trip.
