Dodgers Defeat Phillies 2-1, Reach 2025 NLCS/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 2-1 in Game 4 of the NLDS. An 11th-inning throwing error by Phillies reliever Orion Kerkering sealed the walk-off win. The Dodgers advance to the NLCS for the eighth time in 13 seasons.
Dodgers NLCS Victory Quick Looks
- Dodgers win NLDS 3-1 over Phillies in 11 innings.
- Game ends on a walk-off error by Orion Kerkering.
- Hyeseong Kim scores winning run after misthrow to home plate.
- Dodgers pitching holds Phillies to 4 hits with 12 strikeouts.
- Roki Sasaki throws 3 hitless innings in postseason debut.
- LA advances to face Cubs or Brewers in National League Championship Series.
- Phillies eliminated in NLDS for second consecutive year.
- Dodgers celebrate third-ever postseason walk-off series win.
Deep Look: Dodgers Beat Phillies 2-1 on 11th-Inning Error to Reach NLCS
LOS ANGELES — Oct. 10, 2025 — The Los Angeles Dodgers are heading back to the National League Championship Series after edging the Philadelphia Phillies 2-1 in a tense, extra-inning Game 4 of the NL Division Series. The win came on a shocking walk-off error in the 11th inning that stunned fans and capped off one of the most dramatic games of the 2025 postseason.
With two outs and the bases loaded in the bottom of the 11th, Phillies rookie reliever Orion Kerkering mishandled a comebacker from Dodgers rookie Andy Pages and made a wild throw past catcher J.T. Realmuto. Hyeseong Kim, running from third, scored the game-winning run and sent Dodger Stadium into a frenzy.
“That was a nail-biter,” said Dodgers catcher Will Smith, soaked in beer from the clubhouse celebration. “They cracked. We didn’t.”
The Dodgers clinched the series 3-1 and now advance to face either the Chicago Cubs or Milwaukee Brewers in the 2025 NLCS — their eighth appearance in the league championship round in the past 13 seasons.
How the Game Ended
In the bottom of the 11th, Tommy Edman singled and moved to third on Max Muncy’s two-out base hit. Kerkering then issued a walk to Kiké Hernández, loading the bases. Pages, who had been struggling all series, hit a soft roller back to the mound.
Instead of tossing to first for the final out, Kerkering tried a rushed throw home. The ball skipped up the third-base line past Realmuto, allowing Kim — who initially overran the plate — to double back and touch home.
“I was surprised he threw it home,” said Kim through a translator. “I just ran as hard as I could.”
Even Phillies manager Rob Thomson was seen consoling Kerkering after the game, visibly emotional over the reliever’s mistake.
“He just got caught up in the moment,” Thomson said. “It’s a hard lesson. He’ll bounce back.”
Pitching Duel Defines the Game
Both teams traded zeroes for most of the night behind elite pitching:
- Tyler Glasnow started for the Dodgers and threw 6 innings with 8 strikeouts.
- Japanese rookie Roki Sasaki dominated in relief with 3 hitless innings and a fastball reaching 99.5 mph.
- The Dodgers’ bullpen combined for 12 strikeouts and just 4 hits allowed.
Philadelphia’s only run came in the 7th inning when Nick Castellanos doubled home a run off Emmet Sheehan.
The Dodgers answered in the bottom half, tying the game after Mookie Betts drew a bases-loaded walk off Jhoan Duran.
Phillies Collapse Under Pressure
The Phillies had plenty of chances, but unforced errors and missed opportunities cost them. The most glaring came in the form of Kerkering’s error, marking only the second time in MLB history that a postseason series ended on a walk-off error, according to Elias Sports Bureau.
“It’s brutal,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. “It’s something pitchers practice hundreds of times. But pressure does crazy things.”
Dodgers’ Postseason History
This marks the third time the Dodgers have ended a series with a walk-off win:
- 1978 NLCS – Bill Russell walk-off single vs Phillies
- 2021 Wild Card – Chris Taylor walk-off homer vs Cardinals
- 2025 NLDS – Kim scores on error vs Phillies
Philadelphia, meanwhile, is eliminated in the NLDS for the second straight year, despite entering the series with momentum.
Postgame Quotes
- J.T. Realmuto (Phillies): “We pointed to first. The play was right there.”
- Dave Roberts (Dodgers): “It’s about fundamentals. We stuck with ours.”
- Tyler Glasnow: “Everyone stepped up. That’s how you win in October.”
- Roki Sasaki: “Fastball command was there. I felt confident every pitch.”
What’s Next?
Next Up for Dodgers:
- National League Championship Series vs. Cubs or Brewers
- First game expected within 3 days at Dodger Stadium
Phillies Offseason Begins:
Game Box Highlights
| Stat | Dodgers | Phillies |
|---|---|---|
| Runs | 2 | 1 |
| Hits | 6 | 4 |
| Errors | 0 | 1 |
| Pitching Strikeouts | 12 | 9 |
| Winning Pitcher | Alex Vesia (LAD) | – |
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