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Every once in a while, a big leaguer looks like a little leaguer on the diamond.
Unfortunately for the Philadelphia Phillies, star catcher JT Realmuto’s Little League-esque error ended the game.
In the bottom of the ninth inning of the Phillies’ 2-1 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday at Citizens Bank Park, the Phillies had runners on second and third with one out.
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Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts tags out Justin Crawford of the Philadelphia Phillies in a preview with JT Realmuto returning to second base during the ninth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, July 21, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Justin Crawford, who ran for Alec Bohm, was at third base, while Realmuto was at second base. Right fielder Brandon Marsh faced closer Tanner Scott.
Marsh hit a weak ground ball to third base and Crawford started to head home but stopped after a few steps.
Phillies interim manager Don Mattingly said after the game that the contact game was on, meaning Crawford was supposed to go home no matter what. However, Crawford said the contact play is on unless the ball is hit to third base.
Crawford, now stuck between third base and home plate, found himself in a difficult situation. Realmuto ran toward third base but inexplicably turned to return to second base when he saw Crawford running back to third base.
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Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Tommy Edman reacts after throwing out Philadelphia Phillies catcher JT Realmuto in the ninth inning at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on July 21, 2026. (Kyle Ross/Imagn Images)
Mookie Betts struck out Crawford, then turned and fired to second baseman Tommy Edman to bring Realmuto to second, completing a chaotic 5-2-6-4 double play to end the game.
Phillies announcer John Kruk was in disbelief after seeing Realmuto return to second base.
“Oh no, JT! Oh no,” Kruk said.
Realmuto said after the game that it was a bad baseline play.
“Really, it’s just a bad basic play,” Realmuto told reporters after the game. “We were going to go all the way, and once (Crawford) is on the roster and I’m on third base, there’s no reason for me to go back to second. Just poor judgment. You can’t get two outs on that play. I just have to stay in scoring position.”
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Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Tommy Edman reacts after throwing out Philadelphia Phillies JT Realmuto at second base for the final out of a game Tuesday, July 21, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
“Just an error in judgment. I thought Crawford might come off the roster for some reason. The chances of that happening are so low that you just can’t take that risk of having two outs on one play.”
Realmuto said he should have thought it through in his head before it happened and been more proactive in his preparation. Mattingly said he wasn’t sure what his star receiver was thinking.
“I don’t know what JT was thinking, honestly, because he came in third,” Mattingly told reporters after the game.
“With the contact,” Mattingly said, “I just hope (Crawford) stays on (the list) long enough that Marsh finishes second and you end up in the same place.”
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JT Realmuto #10 of the Philadelphia Phillies faces the Los Angeles Dodgers at Citizens Bank Park on July 20, 2026, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies beat the Dodgers 10-7. (Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
“I’m not sure what he thinks. I don’t know if he thought (Crawford) was going to come back or if they were going to let him come back. That’s something we’ll talk about.”
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The basic error comes in the middle of a difficult season for Realmuto. The three-time All-Star catcher is hitting just .215 with seven home runs, which is well below his career batting average of .268.
The Phillies (56-46) will look to bounce back from a tough loss and win Game 3 of the three-game series against the Dodgers (64-38) on Wednesday at 6:40 p.m. ET.
