Dodgers Dominate: Max Muncy and Teoscar Hernandez Crush Cardinals with Historic Power Surge

By Oliver Wiener August 08, 2025 09:59

The Los Angeles Dodgers delivered a commanding offensive display in their recent 12-6 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals, with Max Muncy and Teoscar Hernández leading a historic power surge that reinvigorated the team’s postseason momentum. Both sluggers homered twice, combining for four home runs and eight RBIs to dismantle the Cardinals’ pitching staff and signal the potency of the Dodgers’ middle order heading into the final stretch of the season.

Max Muncy’s performance was especially notable given his recent return from a month-long absence due to a knee bone bruise. In his second game back, Muncy went 4-for-5 with four RBIs and three runs scored, punctuating his comeback with two towering home runs, including a 416-foot blast off Cardinals starter Miles Mikolas in the opening inning and a two-run homer in the third inning. His first-inning homer marked the 204th of his career, passing Matt Kemp to claim seventh place on the Dodgers’ all-time home run list. Reflecting on his success, Muncy said, “I was getting to the pitches at the top of the zone. You guys have heard me say before as long as I’m doing that, I feel my swing is in a really good spot”.

Teoscar Hernández matched Muncy’s brilliance with an equally explosive night, going 4-for-5 with two home runs, a double, four RBIs, and two runs scored. Hernández’s resurgence comes after overcoming a sluggish stretch post-injury earlier this year; his recent power display has pushed his season average to .256 with a .766 OPS, showcasing a player hitting his stride at exactly the right time. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts praised Hernández’s approach, commenting, “He’s hitting the fastball. I think he’s showing some patience. I really like the last couple of nights in particular, in the sense of to the pullside gap, hitting it hard for the doubles”.

Muncy and Hernández consecutively smashed back-to-back home runs in the third inning, giving the Dodgers a decisive 5-2 lead, their first pair of consecutive homers since May 18, when Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts achieved the feat. Betts himself contributed significantly, snapping an 0-for-22 slump by reaching base four times, including three hits and a walk. Betts’s double in the third inning paved the way perfectly for Muncy’s second home run, with Betts describing the boisterous Dodger Stadium crowd as “super special,” underscoring the energized atmosphere feeding the team’s offensive resurgence.

On the pitching side, Dodgers starter Emmet Sheehan provided a strong front, pitching five scoreless innings while allowing only four hits and striking out five. Meanwhile, Cardinals starter Miles Mikolas was hounded early, lasting just three innings after surrendering five earned runs, with the Cardinals bullpen further unraveling to allow six earned runs total.

The performance pushes the Dodgers’ record to 66-48, bolstering their three-game lead atop the National League West and reinforcing their status as the division favorite. As the Dodgers gear up for their upcoming game featuring ace Shohei Ohtani on the mound, this offensive explosion from Muncy and Hernández sends a clear message: the Dodgers’ middle order is firing on all cylinders and ready to make a serious postseason run.

In summary, Max Muncy’s powerful return paired with Teoscar Hernández’s timely power surge delivered a statement victory for the Dodgers over the Cardinals. Their combined eight RBIs, four home runs, and clutch hitting breathed new life into a lineup that had been sputtering offensively. This game not only highlighted their individual talent but also showcased a deeply potent Dodgers lineup capable of overwhelming opponents with power and precision when the stakes are highest.