Realmuto's Rundown Retreat Hands Dodgers 2-1 Win Over Phillies
A critical baserunning error by Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto ended a ninth-inning rally and sealed a 2-1 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia on Tuesday, July 22, 2026. With runners on second and third and one out in the bottom of the ninth, Realmuto retreated toward second base while a rundown was still active, allowing the Dodgers to complete a game-ending double play.
Pinch-runner Justin Crawford, stationed at third in place of Alec Bohm, broke toward home on contact as Brandon Marsh grounded weakly to third base, then reversed course after hesitating. Crawford became trapped in a rundown between third and home. Realmuto, who had advanced to third during the chaos, inexplicably turned back toward second base when he saw Crawford retreating - a decision that gave the Dodgers two outs on a single play. Shortstop Mookie Betts tagged Crawford out, then threw to second baseman Tommy Edman to retire Realmuto, completing a 5-2-6-4 double play and ending the game. Closer Tanner Scott earned the save for Los Angeles. pariuri sportive floorball
Interim Phillies manager Don Mattingly said the contact play had been called, meaning Crawford was instructed to run home on any batted ball regardless of direction. Crawford, however, said his understanding was that the contact play was void if the ball was hit to third base. The resulting miscommunication placed Crawford in the rundown. Realmuto acknowledged the error was entirely his own. "Just a bad baserunning play, really," he told reporters. "Once Crawford gets in the rundown and I'm on third base, there's no reason for me to go back to second. Just a lack of judgment. You can't make two outs on that play. I've just got to stay in scoring position." He added: "I thought Crawford could get out of the rundown for some reason. The chances of that are so small, you just can't take that chance there." Mattingly was equally candid. "I don't know what JT was thinking there, honestly, because he got to third," the manager said. "I'm not quite sure what he's thinking. It's something we'll talk about."
The blunder arrives during a difficult individual season for Realmuto, a three-time All-Star who is batting .215 with seven home runs - well below his career average of .268. The Phillies, now 56-46 on the season, trail the Dodgers, who improve to 64-38, by a substantial margin in overall record. Philadelphia will attempt to salvage the finale of the three-game series against Los Angeles on Wednesday at 6:40 p.m. ET at Citizens Bank Park.
