Did the Phillies Win Last Night? Costly Error Ends Philadelphia’s MLB Playoff Run

No — the Philadelphia Phillies did not win last night. Their 2025 MLB postseason hopes ended in heartbreak on Thursday, October 9, as a costly 11th-inning error handed the Los Angeles Dodgers a 2-1 victory in Game 4 of the NL Division Series. The devastating loss eliminated Philadelphia from the playoffs, sending the Dodgers to the National League Championship Series (NLCS).

The dramatic finish stunned Phillies fans and players alike, turning what was a tense, evenly matched game into one that will be remembered for all the wrong reasons. The Dodgers advanced to their eighth NLCS in the last 13 seasons, while Philadelphia’s postseason run came to an abrupt end in Los Angeles.

Phillies Fall in Extra Innings After Costly Mistake

The elimination game at Dodger Stadium lived up to its high-stakes billing. The Phillies struck first when right fielder Nick Castellanos drove in Max Kepler with an RBI single in the top of the seventh inning. But the Dodgers responded quickly, tying the game as Justin Dean crossed home plate on a bases-loaded walk in the bottom half of the frame.

Neither team could break the deadlock through the ninth and tenth innings, setting the stage for a dramatic conclusion in the 11th. With the bases loaded and two outs, Dodgers outfielder Andy Pages hit a routine grounder back to Phillies reliever Orion Kerkering. Under normal circumstances, it would have been an easy out at first base. But the pressure of the moment proved too much.

Kerkering fumbled the ball and, instead of throwing to first, panicked and threw home — missing catcher JT Realmuto’s glove entirely. Dodgers infielder Kim Hye-seong seized the moment, crossing home plate to score the winning run and seal the series for Los Angeles. Even Kim appeared surprised by Kerkering’s choice, initially running past home plate before returning to touch it.

As Dodgers fans erupted in celebration, a devastated Kerkering stood motionless on the mound, head down. “Just hit off my foot,” the 24-year-old told reporters after the game, visibly emotional. “Once the pressure got to me, I just thought there’s a little faster throw to JT, a little quicker throw than trying to cross-body it to Bryce (Harper at first). So just a horsesh*t throw.”

Phillies manager Rob Thomson offered words of support for the young pitcher. “He just got caught up in the moment a little bit,” Thomson said. “Coming down the stretch, he pitched so well for us. I feel for him because he’s putting it all on his shoulders, but we win as a team and lose as a team.”

Dodgers Advance, Phillies Left Searching for Answers

The Dodgers’ 2-1 victory gave them a 3-1 series win and propelled them into the NLCS, where they will face either the Chicago Cubs or Milwaukee Brewers. Those two teams will play a decisive Game 5 on Friday night in Wisconsin after the Cubs forced the series to a winner-take-all finale with a 6-0 shutout in Game 4.

For Philadelphia, the loss marks another painful postseason exit despite a strong season. The team had entered October with high hopes of returning to the World Series, but missed opportunities at the plate and one crucial defensive lapse ended their campaign. Several Phillies players echoed Kerkering’s sentiments, acknowledging they had chances earlier in the game to secure the win.

In the Dodgers clubhouse, the mood was electric as they celebrated another deep playoff run. “That was a nail-biter,” catcher Will Smith told reporters, still soaked in beer from the postgame festivities. “They cracked. We didn’t.”

The Phillies’ season is now over, leaving fans to wonder how a team with so much potential once again fell short. And for Orion Kerkering, his costly error will undoubtedly serve as a painful lesson in the unforgiving nature of October baseball.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: Did the Phillies win last night?

No. The Phillies lost 2-1 to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 11 innings on October 9, 2025, and were eliminated from the MLB postseason.

Q2: How did the Phillies lose the game?

A throwing error by pitcher Orion Kerkering in the 11th inning allowed the Dodgers’ Kim Hye-seong to score the winning run and clinch the series.

Q3: What series were the Phillies playing in?

The Phillies were competing in the National League Division Series (NLDS) against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Q4: Who will the Dodgers face next?

The Dodgers will advance to the NL Championship Series (NLCS) to face either the Chicago Cubs or the Milwaukee Brewers.

Q5: What did Phillies manager Rob Thomson say?

Thomson defended Kerkering after the game, saying he “got caught up in the moment” and emphasizing that the team “wins and loses together.”