New angle of Phillies-Dodgers ending makes error even more heartbreaking

As Philadelphia Phillies fans awoke on Friday morning, the reality of what they witnessed on Thursday night set in. The Phillies' 96-win, NL East-winning season came to an abrupt and shocking end in extra innings of Game 4 of the NLDS at the hands of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Unfortunately, reliever Orion Kerkering made the unbelievable series-losing error in the 11th and his name will forever be etched in the annals of Philadelphia sports lore. His name will be whispered by fans for years to come when discussing the greatest misplays in Phillies history, adding his name to the list of scapegoats in the City of Brotherly Love.

Even with another promising season wiped out in such a horrifying way, it's hard not to feel for the 24-year-old Kerkering, especially after hearing his teammates and manager defend and support him following the game. As devastated as fans are about another failed run at a World Series, a different angle of the immediate aftermath on the field at Dodger Stadium will make you feel even worse for Kerkering.

Devastating on-field angle of Dodgers streaming past Phillies' Orion Kerkering is tough to watch

After the right-hander sailed the ball well past J.T. Realmuto at home plate, Kerkering dropped his head, supporting himself with his hands on his knees, somehow staying on his feet. As he went through this terrible moment alone, it was made even worse by euphoric NLCS-bound Dodgers players swarming past him, completely oblivious and indifferent to his pain, to begin their celebration.

"You just want to wrap your arms around Orion Kerkering," play-by-play announcer Brian Anderson voiced over the scene. "That is something that he will think about for a long long time."

It will be downright impossible to have lasting feelings of contempt for Kerkering. For most fans, any feelings of animosity likely dissipated immediately after the season-ending play. Watching this scene play out should ensure that only compassion for Kerkering remains.

“Just kind of the pressure got to me. Just in the moment,” Kerkering said after the game, per NBC Sports Philadelphia's Bob Cooney.

But it still happened.

Despite Kerkering's role in the elimination, the Phillies did this to themselves. The offense disappeared in very winnable Games 1 and 2 at Citizens Bank Park and then again in Game 4. After some stellar starting pitching performances, the bullpen couldn't hold back the Dodgers long enough for the Phillies' bats to do their job.

It's just another postseason elimination that feels all-to avoidable, considering the names on the roster. But the offseason has begun in Philadelphia, and changes are on the horizon after this group has failed to get the job done for the fourth consecutive October.