The Los Angeles Dodgers advanced to the NLCS after a 2-1 extra-innings victory over the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 4 of the NLDS on Thursday. While it wasn’t a classic, highlight-reel walk-off, the win came in dramatic fashion nonetheless.
The deciding moment came from a costly error by Phillies reliever Orion Kerkering, who overthrew home plate while attempting to record a force out.
In the bottom of the 11th inning, with the bases loaded, Dodgers hitter Andy Pages hit a comebacker that Kerkering managed to knock down. He recovered the ball and attempted to throw out Hyeseong Kim at home, but the throw sailed over catcher J.T. Realmuto’s head, allowing Kim to cross the plate and end the game.
Here’s a look at the play:
The Phillies were just one out away from extending the game.
What made the final play even more frustrating—beyond the outcome—was that Orion Kerkering likely had more time than he thought. He not only had a shot at getting the out at home, but also a potential play at first. Securing either would have been enough to push the game into another inning and keep their season alive.
Instead, the Phillies are now left facing a long offseason, reflecting on how the series slipped away. It wasn’t just the ending of Game 4, where a strong outing from Cristopher Sánchez was wasted. Game 1 saw them blow an early lead, and in Game 2, they failed to capitalize on a crucial chance to tie it up.
They had their opportunities—they just couldn’t convert them.
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