The always-rare 5-2-6-4 double play to end the game had Phillies broadcaster John Kruk moaning and groaning as J.T. Realmuto’s embarrassing baserunning burned them in a crushing 2-1 loss.
Philadelphia had runners on second and third with one out while trailing by one run before Realmuto made a bone-headed decision that ruined the chance of a potential walk-off win.
All-Star Brandon Marsh grounded to third with the infield in, resulting in Justin Crawford getting caught in a rundown.
Crawford hesitated before running toward the plate while Realmuto advanced to third.
However, when Crawford ran back toward third base in the rundown, Realmuto bizarrely also decided to tuck tail and run back to second base for reasons that remain unclear.
“Oh, no J.T.,” Kruk said on the telecast as Realmuto began running back to second base despite Crawford — and the ball — not being that far away.
Shortstop Mookie Betts tagged Crawford for the second out before pivoting and firing the ball to Tommy Edman at second base to tag out Realmuto to end the game.
“Oh, J.T. is in trouble now. J.T. is out at second base,” play-by-play man Tom McCarthy added. “A baserunning blunder by the Phils on a couple of levels, and the Dodgers will win it by a final score of 2-1.”
Realmuto took responsibility for the decision that ultimately ended the game.
“It was just a bad baserunning play, really,” Realmuto admitted to reporters. “Once Crawford gets in that rundown there, I’m on third base; there’s no reason for me to go back to second. Just a lack of judgment. Can’t get two outs on that play. Just got to stay in scoring position. It was just a lapse in judgment. I thought Crawford could get out of the rundown for some reason.”
The loss dropped the Phillies to 56-46 while they are entrenched in a battle for the NL East with the Braves (58-42).
The Dodgers improved to 64-38 and continue to run like a well-oiled machine as baseball’s best team.
