Game 4 Recap: Dodgers Rally Ends with a Walk-Off Twist
The Los Angeles Dodgers seized a dramatic 2-1 win in Game 4 at Dodger Stadium, clinching the series in a game that swung on one misplay from the Philadelphia Phillies. With two outs and the bases loaded in the 11th inning, Phillies reliever Orion Kerkering booted a grounder and then wildly threw to home plate, an error that opened the door for the Dodgers to walk it off. Andy Pages’ 40-foot roller became the moment that defined the game’s swing, as the Dodgers moved one win closer to back-to-back World Series appearances.
Pitching Duel Through Seven
The game lived up to its reputation as a pitchers’ duel for most of the night. Phillies closer Jhoan Durán worked five outs in relief during a tense seventh inning, but the Dodgers fought back to tie the game at 1-1 in the seventh. Nick Castellanos had given Philadelphia the lead with a run-scoring double in the top half, countered by a Betts bases-loaded walk off Durán that forced his exit. Dodgers reliever Roki Sasaki then delivered three perfect innings to keep Los Angeles in the contest, extending his role in the bullpen’s high-leverage mix.
Key Moments: Kerkering, Duran, and the Dodgers’ Push
Durán’s command has been the Phillies’ selling point this series, but the seventh-inning walk to Betts with the bases loaded was the tipping point that brought the Dodgers even. In the 11th, Kerkering faced two outs with the bases crowded, ultimately allowing a routine grounder to Pages that became an unassailable sequence for Philadelphia. The error, paired with a poised Dodgers’ offense, sealed the walk-off victory for Los Angeles.
Roki Sasaki’s emergence as a reliable Dodgers closer cannot be overstated. The rookie-fireman’s eight-pitch, eighth-inning stint set the stage for a relief performance that continued into extras. He relied on velocity—routinely sitting at 100 mph—to retire the Phillies in order, providing the kind of bullpen stability that a potential NLCS run demands.
Tyler Glasnow: The October Spark
For Tyler Glasnow, the postseason appearance in a Dodgers uniform has been about delivering the electricity he showed at Hart High School. In his first October start for Los Angeles, Glasnow delivered six innings of shutout ball, fanning eight and pushing his fastball to 99 mph. His virtuoso performance helped the Dodgers withstand a Phillies lineup that had shown life in Game 3, signaling that Glasnow’s return from injury could be a decisive factor down the stretch.
Where the Dodgers Stand: NLCS Possibilities
With the series win, Los Angeles awaits the winner of the Brewers-Cubs matchup for the National League Championship Series. Milwaukee’s pitching and admittedly tricky matchups could pose challenges, particularly against a lineup that has found rhythm with Ohtani back in action. The Dodgers’ rotation could lean on Blake Snell and Shohei Ohtani to begin the NLCS, while Sasaki’s conversion to a bona fide closer adds a trusted arm late in games. Whether facing the Brewers or the Cubs, the Dodgers’ improved offense and deep bullpen give them a credible shot at reclaiming the pennant and chasing a title that has eluded them for a quarter century.
Final Takeaway: Momentum and What It Means
The 11th-inning blunder by Kerkering was a microcosm of a tight series that swung on tiny plays at the margins. The Dodgers’ ability to bend without breaking—thanks to a dominant Sasaki, a timely Glasnow start, and a resilient offense—suggests they’ll be formidable in the NLCS. For Philadelphia, the lesson is clear: capitalize on opportunities and minimize the small errors when the stakes are this high. The series may be over, but the urgency remains as two top NL contenders brace for a deeper postseason push.
