Cards sweep Dodgers thanks to DeJong's 9th-inning homer

[August 23, 2018]  Paul DeJong hit a tiebreaking, two-run home run in the ninth inning Wednesday, and the visiting St. Louis Cardinals completed a three-game sweep with a 3-1 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers.

DeJong's homer, his 14th of the season, came off Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen. It was the Cardinals' third home run in the series off Jansen (0-5), who returned Monday from a stint on the disabled list because of an irregular heartbeat.

Cardinals pinch hitter Tyler O'Neill tied the game 1-1 with a home run in the eighth inning, his fourth of the season. It came one night after O'Neill lost two fly balls in the twilight while playing right field and nearly crashed into center fielder Harrison Bader on two other fly balls.

Joc Pederson hit a home run for Los Angeles, and Walker Buehler pitched seven shutout innings, but the Dodgers still lost their fifth consecutive meeting with the Cardinals dating back to last season.

Pederson's blast to right field with one out in the sixth inning was the Dodgers' only hit off Cardinals starter Jack Flaherty. It was Pederson's 19th homer of the season and first since Aug. 9.

Buehler continued his recent dominating run, dropping his ERA to 1.07 in four August starts. He struck out a career-high nine batters while giving up three hits with two walks.

Flaherty was in complete control before Pederson's home run, striking out three batters in both the first and fifth innings. He finished with 10 strikeouts and two walks. It was the third time Flaherty reached double digits in strikeouts, having recorded 13 twice this season.

It was Flaherty's first appearance against the Dodgers, but his second time pitching at Dodger Stadium. He won a 2013 high school championship game at the ballpark while pitching for Harvard-Westlake School in Los Angeles. Flaherty tossed a complete game and drove in the only run in a 1-0 victory.

Cardinals shortstop Paul DeJong (12) celebrates with right fielder Jose Martinez (38) and first baseman Matt Carpenter (13) and catcher Yadier Molina (4) after hitting a two run home run in the ninth inning against Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Kenley Jansen (not pictured) at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

The Cardinals had a prime scoring opportunity against Buehler in the seventh inning when Jedd Gyorko led off with a double off the glove of third baseman Justin Turner. He advanced to third on a groundout by Kolten Wong, but Buehler got Bader to pop out to shortstop Manny Machado in shallow left field for the third out.

The Dodgers loaded the bases in the eighth inning against Cardinals reliever Dakota Hudson (4-0), but Machado was retired on a broken-bat ground ball to shortstop to end the threat.

Jordan Hicks struck out the side in the ninth inning for his fifth save.

The Dodgers are 8-12 in August and have not won a series since late July at Atlanta. The Cardinals are now 17-4 in August and 24-11 under interim manager Mike Shildt.

--Field Level Media

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