Dodgers Edge Phillies in a Nail-Biting NLDS Game 4 Finish
The Los Angeles Dodgers survived a tense, pitcher‑friendly battle with the Philadelphia Phillies to advance to the National League Championship Series. A 2-1 victory in 11 innings, sealed by a misplay from Phillies reliever Orion Kerkering, earned the Dodgers their eighth NLCS appearance in 13 years.
Early Power and Late-Game Pressure
The game unfolded as a classic postseason pitchers’ duel. Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber launched a rare blast, bringing home an early run with an RBI double in the seventh off Emmet Sheehan. Yet the Dodgers answered in the bottom half when Mookie Betts drew a bases-loaded walk, forcing in the tying run and keeping the series alive for Los Angeles.
Dodgers starter Tyler Glasnow delivered six innings of work, allowing two hits and three walks while striking out eight. The bullpen trio of Emmet Sheehan, J.P. Fire- os, and finally closer Alex Vesia combined for a four-hitter effort, framed by a scintillating return to form for rookie Roki Sasaki. Sasaki, averaging 99.5 mph with his fastball, logged three hitless innings to stoke the Dodgers’ late-inning surge.
Kerkering’s Fateful Play in the 11th
With the game on the line in extra innings, the Phillies appeared to be in control after a sequence that included runners on base. Tommy Edman led off the 11th with a single and moved to third on a single by Max Muncy that slid past the glove of a sliding Trea Turner. Edman then touched third on a two-out single.
At that moment, Kerkering faced the bases-loaded challenge. He walked Kiké Hernández, loading the bases, and Andy Pages hit a routine grounder that whatever was intended to be a grounder out became a defining miscue. The ball bounced off Kerkering’s foot and rolled toward home plate, where catcher J.T. Realmuto appeared ready to tag the advancing runner but ended up in a chaotic exchange as Hyeseong Kim sprinted home for the decisive run.
Kerkering later admitted he was focused on preventing a double play and didn’t fully account for the outs. His sidearm throw to the plate sailed past Realmuto and third baseman, ultimately allowing Kim to score and seal the game. It was a moment of heartbreak for the 24-year-old reliever, who received support from Phillies manager Rob Thomson in the dugout after the error.
Aftermath and Series Implications
The loss marked Philadelphia’s exit from the postseason in consecutive years after reaching the NLDS. The Dodgers, meanwhile, advanced to the NL Championship Series where they will face either the Chicago Cubs or the Milwaukee Brewers. The drama inside Dodger Stadium capped a postseason tradition of late-game twists, joining a handful of levels where errors shaped the outcome.
Dodgers catcher Will Smith summarized the mood after the final out: “That was a nail-biter. They cracked. We didn’t.” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts added perspective, noting the play was a routine pitcher’s fielding practice moment that briefly became a defining moment of the series.
Key Performances and Player Reactions
Mookie Betts drew the tying walk in the eighth while Nick Castellanos had produced a seventh-inning RBI for Philadelphia. On the mound, Glasnow provided six innings of solid work, complemented by a dominant relief effort from Sasaki, whose fastball played up at the right moments. Edman and Muncy’s late-inning sequences underscored how small moments persuaded the frame’s final score.
For Philadelphia, the late miscue overshadowed a strong bullpen showing and the resilience of a team that stubbornly pushed the game into extra innings. For Los Angeles, the dramatic finish reinforced why they’ve remained a perennial contender, returning to the NLCS with momentum and a sense of vindication after a tense, back-and-forth series.
