Iván Herrera’s Go-Ahead Homer Lifts St. Louis Cardinals Over Athletics 2-1 on September 2, 2025

Tuesday, September 2nd, 2025

Cardinals Edge Athletics 2-1 After Iván Herrera's Clutch Home Run

The St. Louis Cardinals secured a 2-1 victory over the Oakland Athletics on September 2, 2025, thanks to a go-ahead two-run home run from Iván Herrera and a strong outing by starting pitcher Miles Mikolas.

Game Recap

Miles Mikolas delivered a solid performance, pitching six innings and allowing only one run on five hits, with one walk and no strikeouts. Mikolas (7-10) bounced back from a tough August, when he went 0-2 with a 6.04 ERA in five starts.

Reliever Matt Svanson kept the Athletics in check with two scoreless innings before JoJo Romero closed out the game with a perfect ninth inning, earning his sixth save of the season.

How the Game Was Won

Victor Scott II drew a leadoff walk in the sixth inning, eventually advancing to third base. With two outs, Iván Herrera launched his 12th home run of the season, putting the Cardinals ahead 2-1. Oakland’s Michael Kelly (4-3) gave up the decisive blast just three pitches after replacing Hogan Harris on the mound.

Notable Performances

Athletics starter Luis Severino left the game with a 1-0 lead after five innings of work, allowing three hits and one walk in 61 pitches. This was Severino’s first start since August 5, after returning from a left oblique strain.

JJ Bleday led off the third with a double and later scored on rookie Nick Kurtz’s RBI double, giving the Athletics an early lead. Bleday had two home runs in Oakland’s win during the previous game of the series.

The Cardinals managed just three wins in their last 11 home games, but rallied to take this close contest.

Key Moment

In the fifth inning, Zack Gelof doubled for Oakland and Mikolas intentionally walked Nick Kurtz with two outs. Mikolas then retired Jacob Wilson on an infield pop-up, keeping the Athletics' lead to just 1-0 and setting the stage for the Cardinals’ comeback.

Key Stat

The Athletics entered the matchup with 190 home runs this season, which is 57 more than the Cardinals’ tally.

Next Up

The series finale features Athletics starter Jeffrey Springs (10-9, 4.17 ERA) against Cardinals lefty Matthew Liberatore (6-11, 4.32 ERA).

In summary

The St. Louis Cardinals captured a 2-1 win over the Oakland Athletics in a tightly contested game, highlighted by Iván Herrera’s pivotal two-run homer and steady pitching from Miles Mikolas. Despite having fewer home runs this season, the Cardinals found just enough offense and relief pitching to outlast the Athletics and draw even in their series. Looking ahead, both teams aim to claim the rubber match in the final game of the series.

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