Orion Kerkeling is acutely aware of the impact of his costly mistake, but articulating it was quite another challenge.
In a tense moment during Game 4 of the National League Division Series on Thursday night, with the Phillies’ fate hanging in the balance in a tied game and two outs in the bottom of the 11th inning, Kerkeling found himself facing Andy Pages and a loaded base.
The relief pitcher attempted to make a comeback, but the ball deflected off his leg, preventing a clean throw. In the ensuing scramble, he had the chance to make a play at first base to end the inning but threw the ball wide, completely missing catcher JT Realmuto, allowing the Dodgers a winning run and a 2–1 victory that concluded the Phillies’ season.
This blunder left Kerkeling crouched with his hands on his knees, visibly upset.
“I just kicked the leg. Once I felt the pressure, I thought it would be quicker to throw to JT, and then I tried a crossbody throw to Bryce,” Kerkeling shared, still processing the heartbreak.
A teammate had urged him to throw to first during the chaos, with Realmuto signaling the expected direction.
When asked about those moments, the 24-year-old expressed his readiness to pitch “in the moment” and noted he was “just looking up.”
Following the game-winning run, the Dodgers celebrated on the field, encircling Pages as they secured their spot in the NL Championship Series.
They will take on the victor of the Brewers-Cubs series, with Milwaukee playing Game 5 on Saturday after the Cubs won the previous two games at their home field.
In the post-game atmosphere, it was clear Kerkeling was trying to hold back tears.
“It means a lot. It shows they care,” he said, reflecting on the situation. “It’s tough now, but I’m determined to get over this.”
Seen in the dugout lost in thought after the final out, Kerkeling received support from teammates and manager Rob Thomson. “Just keep your head up,” he recounted their reassuring words. “This was an honest mistake. Things like that happen in baseball. You’ll be okay.”
This young pitcher has just started his professional journey, having been selected by the Phillies in the fifth round of the 2022 MLB Draft after playing at the University of South Florida. During the regular season, he achieved a 3.30 ERA with four saves across 69 games.
Unfortunately, since their loss to the Astros in the 2022 World Series, the Phillies have faced three consecutive seasons of elimination from the playoffs.
