The Dodgers Eliminate the Phillies in an Epic Duel
In a meeting full of emotions and unexpected twists, the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Philadelphia Phillies in the fourth game of the National League Division Series, securing their place in the next round and leaving the Phillies out of the running. The game, which extended to the 11th inning, kept fans on the edge of their seats. With the bases loaded and two outs, young Phillies reliever Orion Kerkering found himself in the center of the chaos. A slow ground ball from Dodgers outfielder Andy Pages bounced off his left foot, generating a high-tension situation.Kerkering’s wild pitch allowed Hyeseong Kim to score the decisive run, sealing the Dodgers’ victory with a score of 2-1. This defeat abruptly ended the Phillies’ season, who had high expectations. Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy expressed his joy after the triumph, highlighting the emotional rollercoaster the team experienced during the game. The Dodgers vs. Phillies matchup was a battle between two teams packed with talent, with stellar rotations and lineups. The starting pitchers shone during the first three games, demonstrating their dominance on the mound. The fourth game was no different. Tyler Glasnow matched Cristopher Sanchez, keeping the Dodgers’ hitters at bay. Glasnow, in his first playoff start for his hometown team, proved his worth. In the seventh inning, Nick Castellanos drove in the Phillies’ first run. However, the Dodgers responded, tying the score thanks to a bases-loaded walk. Roki Sasaki, the Japanese pitching sensation, had an outstanding performance from the bullpen, retiring nine batters in a row and sealing the Dodgers’ victory. In the top of the eleventh inning, Harrison Bader almost put the Phillies ahead, but Vesia managed to strike him out. In the bottom, Freddie Freeman hit a single and, after a walk and a single, Andy Pages faced Kerkering. Pages, with a poor performance in the series, hit a ground ball that Kerkering couldn’t control, allowing the winning run to reach home plate. The Dodgers celebrated their advance to the next round, while the Phillies lamented an elimination via walk-off. The Dodgers’ victory marked the third time they’ve clinched a playoff series with a walk-off, and they managed to overcome the Phillies, a team considered one of the most talented they faced this postseason. Enrique Hernandez summarized the series as a “dogfight”, reflecting the intensity and competitiveness of the confrontation.Once the pressure got to me, I thought it was better to throw to J.T., a quicker throw than trying to cross the body to get to Bryce. A crap throw…”.
Orion Kerkering
