Plays of inches lead to Phillies fans’ worst nightmare in Game 2 disaster

After losing Game 1 in devastating fashion, the Philadelphia Phillies came into Game 2 of their National League Division Series on Monday needing a win to even the best-of-five with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Starting pitcher Jesús Luzardo gave them a chance with a brilliant outing that ended in backbreaking fashion, thanks to a couple of plays that were inches away from going the Phillies' way.

Neither play, one in the sixth and one in the seventh, in question went their way and the Phillies dropped their second straight at Citizens Bank Park this postseason by a 4-3 final score.

Two crucial close plays buried the Phillies in disastrous 4-3 NLDS Game 2 loss

Dodgers starter Blake Snell was untouchable for most of his start, cruising through five innings before the Phillies threatened in the sixth. With two outs and runners on first and second, Alec Bohm bounced a grounder to Dodgers third baseman Miguel Rojas.

Dashing from second, Trea Turner found himself in a foot race to third with Rojas. They arrived at the bag at the same time, and with both players reaching out, Turner's sliding mitt made contact just after Rojas' glove. The close play ended the inning and set the table for the Dodgers' seventh-inning rally.

Luzardo started the top of the seventh by giving up back-to-back hits. That was the end of the left-hander's night, as Phillies manager Rob Thomson made the move to the bullpen for reliever Orion Kerkering.

After striking out Tommy Edman, Kerkering induced a weak bouncer to the left side of the infield. Turner was involved yet again, as he fielded the ball and threw home. Unfortunately, Turner's throw was to J.T. Realmuto's right, forcing him to reach across his body, giving enough time for Teoscar Hernandez's right foot to reach the plate just ahead of the tag.

The Phillies made an unsuccessful challenge and the Dodgers went up 1-0. Then things went from bad to worse. Things unraveled for Kerkering and then Matt Strahm, who was the Game 1 scapegoat, as Los Angeles scored three more runs to take a commanding 4-0 lead.

If only Turner had made a better throw, the heartbreaking disaster might have been avoided.

Luzardo finished what was a stellar start with an official line of six innings, two runs on three hits and one walk with five strikeouts. He matched Snell almost pitch for pitch, the Dodgers lefty finishing with six shutout innings one hit, four walks and nine strikeouts.

The Phillies rallied in the eighth and ninth, scoring three runs, but fell short of a miracle comeback. The boo birds came out at Citizens Bank Park as the Phillies now head to LA trailing the Dodgers 2-0, with an NLDS elimination game on deck in Game 3 on Wednesday as the nightmare postseason continues.