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Philadelphia Phillies reliever Orion Kerkering spoke out about his late-season mistake during the team’s 2-1 loss in Game 4 of the NLDS on Thursday at Dodger Stadium that sent the Los Angeles Dodgers to the National League Championship Series.
Kerkering, 24, was pitching in a 1-1 game in the bottom of the 11th inning. The bases were loaded and there were two outs.
Dodgers outfielder Andy Pages hit a ground ball back to Kerkering, who did not field the ball cleanly. Kerkering scrambled to scoop up the kicked ball and fired a wayward throw toward the plate, allowing the run to score.
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Philadelphia Phillies reliever Orion Kerkering sits in the dugout after his team’s loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 4 of the National League Division Series on Thursday at Dodger Stadium. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Imagn Images)
If Kerkering had looked up before throwing the ball, he would have seen catcher JT Realmuto pointing to first base, telling him to throw there.
The Phillies reliever could have recovered and thrown to first base to record the final out of the inning, but instead he threw home.
Kerkering said the pressure got to him.
“I just tapped my foot, once that pressure got to me (I thought) it was a quicker throw to JT, a little quicker throw than trying to cross it to Bryce (Harper at first base),” Kerkering told reporters after the game.
PHILADELPHIA SUFFERS A MISERABLE SPORTS NIGHT IN THE CITY’S FIRST ‘TRIPLE LOSS’ IN OVER FOUR DECADES
Philadelphia Phillies catcher JT Realmuto leaves the field after Hyeseong Kim, center, of the Los Angeles Dodgers, scored the series-winning run in Game 4 of the NLDS in the 11th inning, Thursday, at Dodger Stadium. (Mark J. Terrill/AP Photo)
“Just a team of horses.”
Kerkering said he was in the moment and didn’t hear his teammates telling him to go to first base. The Huntington Beach, California, native said his teammates cheered him on after the game.
“Just keep your head up,” Kerkering said. “It’s an honest mistake. It’s baseball. Things happen. Just keep your head up, you’ll be fine for a long time. It’s not my fault. (We) had opportunities to score. Just keep your head up.”
Philadelphia Phillies catcher JT Realmuto looks down after the Los Angeles Dodgers won Game 4 of the National League Division Series on Thursday at Dodger Stadium. (Mark J. Terrill/AP Photo)
“It means a lot. It shows that they care a lot. It just means everything, for sure,” he added. “This really sucks right now, but I hope to keep trying and get over this hurdle.”
Kerkering had a good season with the Phillies this year. In 69 games, he went 8-4 with a 3.30 ERA and four saves.
The NLCS will begin on Monday.
The Dodgers will face either the Chicago Cubs or the Milwaukee Brewers, who will play a decisive Game 5 of the NLDS on Saturday.
