The Ramos roundup is a weekly sports column highlighting all the news of the week featuring the Eagles, Phillies, Flyers, Sixers, and Union.
Phillies Season Ends in Extra Innings After Kerkering Error
We titled last week’s roundup “Hellish Weekend” in this section. That may have been premature, as things would get worst. A lot worst.
The Phillies’ championship aspirations ended with a thud this past Thursday. In an extra innings, the Dodgers loaded the bases with two outs in the bottom half of the 11th. Andy Pages comes to the dish and hit a harmless, ground ball to the mound. Reliever Orion Kerkering went to field that ball, but couldn’t quite get a handle on it. Now hurried, the 24 year-old nervously picked up the baseball and sailed it over the head of J.T. Realmuto, thus ending the game.
Obviously, had the ball been fielded cleanly, Kerkering had an easy out at first base. In fact, one could see Realmuto even pointing to first to ensure that Kerkering made the right play. This blunder is gut-wrenching for the team, the fans and Kerkering himself. It won’t soon be forgotten.
Despite this, the young pitcher was a total professional afterwards, answering questions in detail about the play. Many of his teammates consoled him, including manager Rob Thomson.
Let’s face it: the Phillies lost this series long before Kerkering’s error. Many of the big, high-priced bats no-showed this series. They lost back to back games at home, which included blowing a three-run lead in game 1.
The Phillies need an overhaul in the worse way and it’s high time for that to happen. Hopefully, that happens this coming winter.
Giants Dominate Eagles 34-17
If you were looking to the Eagles for solace, that contest wouldn’t provide much. The Giants’ rookies Jaxson Dart and Cam Skattebo sliced the Philadelphia defense with big chunk plays a number of times throughout the game. New York complied 366 total net yards, and 25 first downs in the win. The Eagles defense would be without Jalen Carter and later, cornerback Quinyon Mitchell (hamstring) and it definitely showed.
The offense, on the other hand, didn’t fare much better. The Eagles surprisingly lost the turnover battle, going 0-for-2, with a Jalen Hurts interception and a fumble by running back A.J. Dillon. Hurts, in particular, turned in a pedestrian performance. The 27-year-old quarterback missed an open DeVonta Smith on a catch and run that have could seen Smith walk into the end zone had it been on target. He also missed key throws to AJ Brown and Jahan Dotson as well.
The Eagles will head to Minnesota next week in a big NFC showdown. It will represent a chance for the Eagles to get right on both sides of the ball.
Flyers Fall to Carolina on Controversial Call in Overtime
Despite goals from Owen Tippett, Bobby Brink and Travis Sanheim, the Flyers couldn’t weather the Hurricanes on Saturday night. Brink, who also added an assist, appeared to have scored the game winning goal in overtime, but it was called back due to goaltender interference by Travis Sanheim. It didn’t look like much on the replay and appeared as if Carolina netminder Frederik Andersen created some of the contact.
However, the war room in Toronto clearly disagreed and reversed the goal call. Shortly thereafter, Seth Jarvis beat Sam Ersson on an east, west one-time blast to win the game for Carolina.
The Flyers are 0-1-1 to begin the 2025-2026 campaign. They’ll host the defending Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers in their home opener on Monday night.
Sixers Host Annual Blue X White Scrimmage
On Sunday, the Sixers hosted their annual blue x white scrimmage at their G League affiliate’s facility in Delaware. In a surprise treat to fans that attended, Joel Embiid suited up for the blue squad in the game. Perhaps this is a good sign that he will be able to play more than originally anticipated this season? Nick Nurse certainly seemed encouraged by the progress he’s seen since the injuries started to pile up last season.
Now, we still do not know if Embiid will play this Friday against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the preseason finale, but his playing in this game at least appears to be a positive development.
As with anything related to the Sixers and injuries, it’s best to take a wait and see approach.
