NEWYou can now listen to PK Press Club articles!
Philadelphia Phillies reliever Orion Kerkering talked about his season-ending mistake in the team’s 2-1 loss in Game 4 of the NLDS Thursday at Dodger Stadium that sent the Los Angeles Dodgers to the National League Championship Series.
Kerkering, 24, pitched 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 directly to Kerkering, who did not field the ball cleanly. Kerkering rushed to pick up the kicked ball and fired a wayward throw toward home plate, allowing the run to score.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PK Press Club
Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher 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 toward first base, telling him to throw there.
The Phillies reliever could have pulled himself together and thrown to first base to record the final out of the inning, but instead threw home.
Kerkering said the pressure got to him.
“I just hit my foot, once that pressure got to me (I) thought it was a quicker throw to JT, a little quicker throw than trying to throw it to Bryce (Harper at first base),” Kerkering told reporters after the game.
Philadelphia endures a miserable night of sports in the city’s first “triple loss” in more than four decades.
Philadelphia Phillies catcher JT Realmuto leaves the field after Los Angeles Dodgers centerfielder Hyeseong Kim 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 horse—toss.”
Kerkering said he was in the moment and didn’t hear his teammates telling him to go to first base. The Huntington Beach, Calif., 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. It happens. Just keep your head up, you’ll be good for a long time. It’s not my fault. (We) had chances 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 means everything, of course,” he added. “It really sucks right now, but I hope to keep pushing and get over this hump.”
Kerkering had a good season for the Phillies this year. In 69 games, he was 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 Milwaukee Brewers, who will play a deciding Game 5 of the NLDS on Saturday.
