Dodgers Escape in Extra Innings to Clinch NLDS
The Los Angeles Dodgers captured the National League Division Series with a 2-1 walk-off win over the Philadelphia Phillies in 11 innings Thursday night at Dodger Stadium, sealing the series 3-1. The decisive moment came on a controversial error by Phillies reliever Orion Kerkering, who mishandled a bases-loaded comebacker in the 11th, allowing Hyeseong Kim to score and set off a chaotic celebration among the Dodgers’ faithful.
The Key Play: Kerkering’s Misstep
With Tommy Edman on third after a leadoff single and Max Muncy following with an RBI hit, the Dodgers seemed poised for a quick finish. But in the 11th, Kerkering induced a grounder to the mound off the bat of Andy Pages. Instead of tossing to first for an out, Kerkering’s throw sailed past catcher J.T. Realmuto, letting the ball roll to the backstop and letting the run cross home plate. The crowd at Dodger Stadium roared as Pages, in a 1-for-23 postseason stretch, reached safely and Kim slid across the plate for the winning run.
How the Dodgers Took Control Earlier
Philadelphia had briefly taken the lead in the seventh on Nick Castellanos’ RBI double off Emmet Sheehan, but the Dodgers answered in the bottom half when Jhoan Duran drew a bases-loaded walk to force in the tying run. The resilient vertical of pressure continued into extra innings, with a bullpen battle that featured a string of scoreless frames before the dramatic 11th.
Late-Inning Drama and Momentum Shifts
Even after the Phillies’ advantage, the Dodgers never lost their edge. A crucial base-running sequence in the 11th—Tommy Edman’s single and Max Muncy’s go-ahead opportunity—set the stage for the final, decisive error. The impact stretched beyond a single inning: it marked the Dodgers’ eighth National League Championship Series appearance in 13 years and continued Philadelphia’s postseason struggles in a third consecutive Division Series exit.
Series Outcome and Looking Ahead
Thursday’s victory secured the Dodgers a date with either the Chicago Cubs or the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Championship Series. It also added another chapter to the Dodgers’ playoff lore: three walk-off wins to clinch a series in franchise history, including a notable late-game sequence against the Phillies dating back to earlier years. For the Phillies, it was another heartbreak in a tight, well-contested series that showcased both teams’ strengths, yet left Philadelphia searching for a clean finish in a best-of-five showdown.
Impact and Reactions
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts leaned on a blend of veteran resolve and timely hitting to guide his club past a resilient Phillies squad. The relief effort from the LA bullpen, paired with timely at-bats from Mookie Betts and Edman, underscored a team ready to seize opportunities in a tightly contested playoff environment. For Kerkering, the miscue will be a tough moment to digest, but it also framed a close, competitive series that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final out.
