The Philadelphia Phillies and Los Angeles Dodgers remained deadlocked in a tense battle, each scoring a run and sending the game into extra innings. The game took a dramatic turn in the 11th inning when Orion Kerkering, after fumbling Andy Pages’ comebacker with the bases loaded and two outs, made an errant throw past home plate instead of aiming for first base. This costly mistake gifted the Dodgers a 2-1 victory over the Phillies in the NL Division Series, advancing them to face the Chicago Cubs or Milwaukee in the NL Championship Series.
Dodgers’ catcher Will Smith described the game as a nail-biter, acknowledging the Phillies’ crack under pressure while his team held strong. Kerkering, visibly distraught, made the critical error that allowed pinch-runner Hyeseong Kim to score the winning run. The Dodgers’ advancement was sealed by this unexpected turn of events.
The unfortunate play unfolded when Kerkering mishandled a broken-bat hit, opting for a hasty throw to home plate that went awry. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts expressed his disappointment in the moment, emphasizing that Kerkering’s error was a routine play that should have been executed without hesitation. Phillies manager Rob Thomson consoled Kerkering, recognizing the weight of the situation on the young pitcher’s shoulders.
The game ended in a rare walk-off error, only the second such occurrence in postseason history. The Dodgers celebrated their victory, securing their spot in the NLCS while the Phillies were eliminated from the Division Series for the second consecutive year. In another NLDS match, the Chicago Cubs dominated the Milwaukee Brewers with a 6-0 win, forcing a decisive Game 5 to determine who would face the Dodgers in the NLCS.
The Cubs’ strong performance, highlighted by home runs from Ian Happ, Kyle Tucker, and Michael Busch, propelled them to victory in front of an enthusiastic crowd at Wrigley Field. The Brewers, despite their impressive regular-season record, struggled to generate offense and were ultimately shut down by the Cubs’ pitching staff. The series now moves to a thrilling conclusion in Milwaukee, with the winner earning a chance to challenge the Dodgers for the NLCS title.
