When Orion Kerkering, age 26, fumbled a routine grounder in the bottom of the 11th inning, the walk-off error instantly turned a tense NLDS Game 4 into a 2‑1 Dodgers victory and sent the Philadelphia Phillies home after a 98‑win season.
The drama unfolded at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California, on Thursday, October 9, 2025, at 10:47 PM Pacific Time. Rob Thomson, 61, watched his club lose the series 3‑1, while Dave Roberts, 52, celebrated a trip to the NLCS against the New York Mets.
How the series got to that point
Philadelphia entered the postseason with the league’s best record in the National League East, holding +450 odds for a World Series title at the All‑Star break on July 15. The Phillies took Game 1 with a 3‑2 win in extra innings, but dropped Games 2 and 3 on the road, leaving everything on the line in Game 4.
Manager Thomson started Zack Wheeler, 35, as the opening pitcher. Wheeler delivered solid work through seven innings, preserving a 1‑0 lead. Closer Jeff Hoffman, 32, entered in the eighth and held the Dodgers scoreless until a two‑run single by Enrique Hernández, 33, tied it at 1‑1.
Game 4: The pivotal moments
After a three‑hour rain delay, the game resumed at 5:08 PM Pacific. The ninth inning saw a crucial strikeout by Dodgers reliever Evan Phillips, 30, that forced the Phillies to bring in a pinch‑hitter. Trea Turner, 33, stepped in with the bases loaded but couldn't deliver, sending the contest into extra innings.
In the top of the 11th, the Dodgers loaded the bases with one out. Left‑handed rookie Andy Pages, 24, hit a soft ground ball toward the mound. That’s when Kerkering, who had entered in the tenth as a presumed Game 5 starter, mishandled the ball, then lofted a wild throw over the head of catcher J.T. Realmuto, 34,. Hernández sprinted home, clinching the win.
Statcast logged the error at 10:47:23 PM PT, marking the first time in postseason history that a series ended on a pitcher’s throwing mistake with the bases loaded in extra innings.
Immediate reactions on the field
Right fielder Nick Castellanos, 33, was the first to rush to Kerkering’s side. "That's second nature. That's instinct," Castellanos said, noting he could feel the younger pitcher’s disappointment without needing a word. He added, "I just told him to keep his head up. I wanted to be next to him while he walked off the field, so he knows he’s not alone."
Realmuto, usually stoic behind the plate, knelt beside the 26‑year‑old, his head bowed, hands on his knees. The trio lingered in the first‑base dugout where Thomson waited, offering a brief, wordless solidarity before the clubhouse lights dimmed.
Why this matters for Philadelphia
The loss erased a season that had seen the Phillies sit atop the NL East for 147 days, win 98 regular‑season games, and post a franchise‑best 3.12 ERA from their bullpen. The miscue also shifted the narrative from a hopeful title run to a sobering post‑mortem, prompting analysts to question the team’s depth in high‑leverage situations.
Former MLB player and analyst Lewis Brinson remarked, "It took 11 innings, but in walk‑off fashion, LA got the win. That’s dramatic, and it stamps their ticket to the NLCS." The sentiment echoed across sports media: a single error can rewrite a postseason, and in this case, it did so with a painful, audible thud of a missed throw.
What’s next for the Dodgers and the Mets
Los Angeles now turns its attention to the National League Championship Series against the New York Mets. Game 1 is set for Saturday, October 11, 2025, at 8:07 PM Eastern at Citi Field in Queens. Veteran left‑hander Clayton Kershaw, 37, will open the mound for the Dodgers.
For the Phillies, the off‑season looms as a period of introspection. Owner John Middleton, 72, faces pressure to address bullpen depth, while general manager rumors swirl about potential trades for a veteran closer before the 2026 season.
Historical perspective: Errors that defined playoffs
Baseball lore is littered with costly mistakes—Bill Buckner’s 1986 World Series error, the 1995 ALCS misplay by Jeffrey Hamm, and more. Kerkering’s misthrow joins that roster, but it stands out because it ended a series outright, a first in MLB postseason annals.
That rarity underscores the fine line between heroics and heartbreak in October baseball. As fans filed out of Dodger Stadium, the echo of the crowd’s gasp lingered, a reminder that a single moment can shift a franchise’s destiny.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the error affect the Phillies' postseason outlook?
The loss eliminates Philadelphia from the 2025 playoffs, ending any chance at a World Series run. It also intensifies scrutiny on the bullpen, prompting the front office to consider upgrades before the next season.
What made Andy Pages' ground ball so crucial?
Pages' ball was a routine infield hit that should have been an easy out. Because it was hit directly to the pitcher, the ensuing throwing error created a sudden, decisive run, turning a potential inning-ending play into a series‑ending win for the Dodgers.
Who will the Dodgers face in the NLCS and when?
Los Angeles advances to meet the New York Mets in the National League Championship Series. Game 1 kicks off on Saturday, October 11, 2025, at 8:07 PM Eastern Time at Citi Field in Queens, New York.
Has a pitcher ever ended a series with a throwing error before?
No. Statcast data confirms this is the first postseason series concluded by a pitcher’s throwing error with the bases loaded in extra innings, making Kerkering’s mistake a historic first.
What are the Phillies likely to change in the offseason?
Analysts expect Philadelphia to explore acquiring a veteran closer and adding depth to the middle relief corps. The front office may also look at defensive upgrades in the outfield to avoid future misplays.
