The Philadelphia Phillies and Los Angeles Dodgers engaged in a tense battle that went into extra innings after both teams managed to score a single run each. In a dramatic turn of events, Orion Kerkering’s wild throw past home plate in the 11th inning allowed the Dodgers to secure a 2-1 victory, clinching a 3-1 NL Division Series win.
Dodgers catcher Will Smith described the game as a nail-biter and credited his team for staying composed under pressure. Kerkering’s errant throw occurred when he mishandled a bases-loaded comebacker, leading to the winning run crossing the plate.
The Dodgers advanced to face the Chicago Cubs or Milwaukee in the NL Championship Series. Kerkering, visibly distraught after the game, explained that the pressure got to him, causing the pivotal mistake. The error marked the end of the Phillies’ postseason run for the second consecutive year.
This game marked the second postseason series to end on a walk-off error, with the Dodgers becoming the third team in MLB history to secure a postseason series with a walk-off win. The Cubs also forced a decisive Game 5 against the Milwaukee Brewers in a dominant 6-0 victory, setting up an intense finale back in Milwaukee.
Chicago’s strong performance, highlighted by home runs from Ian Happ, Kyle Tucker, and Michael Busch, delighted the Wrigley Field crowd. The Cubs rallied after being on the brink of elimination, showcasing resilience to force a winner-takes-all Game 5 in the NLDS. The victor would advance to face the Dodgers in the NL Championship Series.
