Realmuto baserunning mistake kills Phillies’ ninth-inning push
The Phillies lost 2-1 to the Dodgers after a ninth-inning double play ended a late rally in Philadelphia.
By Deshawn Carter · Sports Writer
2 min read
The Philadelphia Phillies had the tying run 90 feet away in the ninth inning Tuesday. Seconds later, the game was over, and J.T. Realmuto was owning the mistake.
ESPN News Services reported that the Phillies fell 2-1 to the Los Angeles Dodgers after a late rally unraveled on the bases in the bottom of the ninth. Realmuto described his decision-making on the play as a “lapse in judgment” and told reporters there was “no reason for me to go back [to] second.”
The trouble started with Philadelphia chasing one run. Alec Bohm opened the inning with a single, and the Phillies replaced him with pinch runner Justin Crawford. Edmund Sosa then struck out, leaving Philadelphia with one out.
Realmuto followed with a double to left field, pushing Crawford to third and putting the Phillies in business. Brandon Marsh then hit a soft grounder to third base, according to ESPN News Services.
Crawford broke from third toward the plate and was caught in a rundown. Realmuto, who had advanced to third, attempted to move back to second. The Dodgers turned the play into a game-ending double play, recorded as 5-2-6-4, ESPN News Services reported.
Realmuto did not dodge responsibility afterward. He called it a “bad baserunning play,” according to ESPN News Services.
Wheeler’s sharp start goes to waste
The ending wiped away a strong night from Phillies ace Zack Wheeler. In his first start after declining an All-Star invitation, Wheeler allowed two runs over seven innings, ESPN News Services reported.
Wheeler struck out nine Dodgers and did not issue a walk. That line kept Philadelphia close, but the Phillies could not turn the ninth-inning chance into a tying run.
The Dodgers’ 2-1 win was listed as final on ESPN’s scoreboard. The game began late after rain pushed back the first pitch by 1 hour and 20 minutes. ESPN News Services reported that drizzle continued during the game after beginning in the third inning.
The Associated Press contributed to ESPN’s report.
This story draws on original reporting from ESPN.com.