The Phillies got eliminated by the Dodgers in equally heartbreaking and embarrassing fashion on Thursday night.
In the 11th inning of Game 4 of the NLDS, the score was tied 1-1 and Phillies reliever Orion Kerkering was on the mound with two outs. With the bases loaded, Dodgers outfielder Andy Pages hit a weak ground ball right to Kerkering, who only needed to throw to first base to get the third out and end the inning. But after Kerkering picked up the ball, he lifted his head and immediately threw it to catcher J.T. Realmuto at home plate. The ball sailed over Realmuto, the Dodgers scored a run, and just like that, Philly's 2025 season was over.
Following Kerkering's brutal error, he walked off the field surrounded by his teammates. He was met by manager Rob Thomson at the entrance of the dugout, and the two shared a brief embrace and an emotional moment. Thomson appeared to impart some words of consolation to the reliever before patting Kerkering on the chest and sending him on his way:
Rob Thomson had his pitcher's back after a gutwrenching error to end their season pic.twitter.com/ctY1J4z1Sn
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) October 10, 2025
Kerkering also received support from his teammates in the dugout as he sat on the bench and looked visibly shaken by what just transpired.
What a truly terrible way for the Phillies to go out, though Kerkering still has plenty reason to keep his head up and move on from this lowlight, as his manager no doubt hopes he will do.
"He just got caught up in the moment a little bit. Coming down the stretch, he pitched so well for us," Thomson said of Kerkering postgame. "I feel for him because he's putting it all on his shoulders. But we win as a team and we lose as a team."
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Phillies' Rob Thomson Had Classy Gesture for Orion Kerkering After Season-Ending Error.
