The Dodgers' dramatic victory over the Phillies in a thrilling walk-off moment sent shockwaves through baseball fans and propelled them into the National League Championship Series. But here's where it gets controversial: it was a costly error by Phillies reliever Orion Kerkering that ultimately ended Philadelphia’s season in the most heartbreaking fashion.
With the bases jam-packed in the 11th inning of a tense Game 4 in the National League Division Series, Andy Pages stepped up and hit a broken-bat grounder directly to Kerkering on the mound. Kerkering’s initial misplay — mishandling the ball near his foot — set off a chain reaction of mistakes. Instead of throwing to first base to get the sure out, Kerkering rushed a wild throw toward home plate that sailed far past catcher J.T. Realmuto, who was signaling him to throw to first. This catastrophic decision allowed Hyeseong Kim to dash home and seal an electrifying 2-1 walk-off win for the Dodgers amid a frenzy of celebration at Dodger Stadium.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts called it an “instant classic,” while third baseman Max Muncy noted it was a moment that ranks among the most unforgettable. Originally a pitchers’ duel between the strong starters Tyler Glasnow and Cristopher Sánchez, the game evolved into a gripping bullpen battle that ultimately extended into extra innings. The Dodgers sparked their late rally by loading the bases with two outs, thanks to singles from Tommy Edman and Muncy and a clutch walk by Kiké Hernández.
Pages initially struck out swinging on the first pitch from Kerkering but then connected on the very next sinker, sending a low line drive back to the mound. Kerkering’s mishandling of this ball triggered the chaos that drew gasps from the crowd. Had Kerkering simply thrown to first as Realmuto suggested, the inning—and likely the Phillies’ season—would have ended right there. Instead, his panicked throw to home plate bounced into the backstop, allowing the winning run to score.
Reflecting on the moment, Pages said in Spanish that he expected a throw to first, but recognizing Kerkering’s choice to throw home, he knew the game was over. Hernández described the atmosphere as wild, with fans erupting in celebration as the ball crossed the netting.
This intense and nerve-wracking game had been characterized by superb pitching performances all day. Both Glasnow for the Dodgers and Sánchez for the Phillies kept hitters off balance through six scoreless innings, striking out multiple batters and leaving runners stranded. The scoring began in the seventh inning after Dodgers manager Dave Roberts made a tactical move to pull Glasnow after 83 pitches, a notable decision given Glasnow’s recent limited workload. Phillies reliever Emmet Sheehan then struggled, committing an error while covering first base, which contributed to the Phillies scoring the game’s first run via a well-placed double.
Despite falling behind, the Dodgers fought back, tying the game when Mookie Betts drew a bases-loaded walk off Phillies closer Jhoan Durán, who was brought in to secure what's usually a reliable save. However, Durán quickly faltered, walking Betts in the same inning and allowing the Dodgers to regain the lead.
Both bullpens held strong through the rest of regulation and extra innings. The Dodgers’ Roki Sasaki dazzled with three perfect innings of relief, while Phillies’ pitchers also managed scoreless frames behind Jesús Luzardo’s solid work. But all the dominant pitching could not prevent the Dodgers’ final rally in the 11th, sparked by Edman’s single and subsequent pinch-runner Kim’s aggressive baserunning.
Ultimately, Kerkering’s split-second decision to throw home rather than first turned the tide decisively in favor of the Dodgers, ending the Phillies’ postseason hopes. This dramatic ending not only sets up the Dodgers for a deep playoff run but also raises questions about high-pressure decision-making and execution when the stakes are at their highest.
What do you think? Was Kerkering simply unlucky, or did he make a critical mental error under pressure? Could the Phillies have done anything differently to avoid such a crushing loss? Share your thoughts and join the debate about one of this postseason's most talked-about moments.
