Phillies' Orion Kerkering melts down in extras, sends Dodgers to NLCS in heartbreaking collapse

Hunter Cookston

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Phillies' Orion Kerkering melts down in extras, sends Dodgers to NLCS in heartbreaking collapse image

The Philadelphia Phillies won Game 3 of the NLDS in Los Angeles on Wednesday, finally securing a much-needed victory. They broke the game open in the eighth inning, scoring five runs off reliever Clayton Kershaw. This outburst led to heavy criticism of Dodgers manager Dave Roberts for his conservative decision-making.

Just unf***ing believable. You have five arms in the bullpen. FIVE. It's a two run game.... I don't care the offense hasn't done anything it's a two run game. Sending Kershaw out there was a f***ing idiotic fu**ing decision. Holy f**k,” Dodgers writer Blake Harris posted.

First baseman Bryce Harper had struggled prior to Game 3, possibly distracted by the birth of his newborn son, whom he hasn’t had a chance to see yet.

“It’s an incredible thing. Being able to hold your son for the first time is something that, it's one of the greatest moments of my life. I love my family. I love my kids. I love baseball. But at the end of the day my family means the most to me. I definitely miss them right now,” Harper said.

On Thursday, in a win-or-go-home Game 4, the Phillies had a chance to send the series back to Philadelphia for a decisive Game 5. In extra innings, a ball hit up the middle deflected off pitcher Orion Kerkering. Panicking, he launched an errant throw to the backstop, allowing the Dodgers to walk it off and advance to the NLCS.

“OH MY GOD THE DODGERS ARE GOING TO THE NLCS ON A DISASTROUS PLAY BY THE PHILLIES,” Ben Verlander posted.

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This moment is likely to haunt Kerkering for a long time—at least until next season. There’s no doubt this is one of the most brutal ways to lose a game. It marks the second straight season the Phillies have been eliminated in the NLDS.

Looking ahead, the Phillies face an uncertain offseason. Kyle Schwarber is set to become a free agent, and Game 4 may have been his last in a Phillies uniform.

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Hunter Cookston

Hunter Cookston began his career as a sportswriter for the Marion Tribune, where he covered local high school football, basketball and baseball. His passion for sports started at the age of four when he played his first year of tee ball. Growing up in Tennessee, he developed a deep love for the Tennessee Volunteers and Atlanta Braves. Hunter is currently attending Tennessee Wesleyan University, where he is pursuing a BA in Sports Communications/Management.