Kerkering picked up the save in Monday's 4-1 win against the Reds, pitching a clean inning with one strikeout.
The Philadelphia righty smoothly collected his first save since June 19 in this 10-pitch outing. The Phillies' usual closer, Jhoan Duran, did not appear in Monday's contest after pitching consecutive games on Saturday and Sunday. Kerkering is likely the preferred backup saves option to Duran, as Jordan Romano pitched the seventh Monday (and collected the win) while David Robertson handled the eighth. Across 44.2 total innings, Kerkering sports a 2.62 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 47:19 K:BB while tallying three saves.
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Phillies' Orion Kerkering: Back to handling setup role
Rotowire
Kerkering picked up a hold Sunday against the Rangers after allowing one hit and no walks with no strikeouts in a scoreless eighth inning.
After working his way into the closing picture for a brief stretch amidst Jordan Romano's struggles, Kekering has since reverted back to his role as a setup man for new closer Jhoan Duran. Kerkering has been very effective at preventing runs, posting a 1.67 ERA and 35:13 K:BB over 32.1 innings since the beginning of May, and he should continue to work in high-leverage spots for the Phillies.
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Phillies' Orion Kerkering: Moves past apparent injury
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Phillies manager Rob Thomson said that Kerkering was unavailable to pitch in Tuesday's 4-3 loss to the Giants due to soreness but is available Wednesday, Lochlahn March of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
Kerkering might have gotten a save chance had he been available Tuesday. Instead, the Phillies turned to Jordan Romano, who gave up three runs in the ninth inning to take a blown save and loss. The source of Kerkering's soreness isn't known, but he will evidently be ready Wednesday, if needed. Kerkering has notched two saves for the Phillies this season.
Phillies' Orion Kerkering: Saddled with third loss Thursday
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Kerkering (5-3) was charged with the loss in Thursday's 2-1 defeat to the Astros, giving up one run on two hits with no strikeouts in the eighth inning.
Although it was not a save situation, the 24-year-old right-hander allowed his first earned run since May 6. Thursday ended a streak of 19 appearances without an earned run for Kerkering, who was summoned to face the top of Houston's lineup but failed to keep the game tied. Kerkering has still worked to a 1.16 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 21:11 K:BB over his last 23.1 innings, so he should remain in Philadelphia's closer mix going forward.
Phillies' Orion Kerkering: Shuts door for second save
Rotowire
Kerkering picked up the save after allowing one hit with no strikeouts during a scoreless ninth inning in Thursday's 2-1 win over Miami.
It was the second save of the season for Kerkering, who certainly appears to have worked his way into Philadelphia's ninth-inning mix. Each of his two saves for the year have come in his past three outings, and the right-hander is now riding a streak of 16.1 consecutive innings without yielding an earned run. The Phillies seem to be intent on having a committee at closer perhaps until one of Kerkering, Matt Strahm or Jordan Romano emerges from the high-leverage pack, as it's worth noting Strahm also has two saves in his last three appearances.
Kerkering secured the save in Monday's 5-2 win at Miami, pitching a clean inning with one strikeout.
The 24-year-old required just 12 pitches, nine of which were strikes, to pick up his first save of the season. Kerkering has now made 16 consecutive appearances without allowing an earned run, a span during which he's tossed 14.1 innings with a 13:7 K:BB. Jordan Romano, the Philadelphia saves leader, pitched in the seventh inning, while Matt Strahm, who secured the save Saturday, pitched in the eighth of Monday's contest. If Phillies manager Rob Thomson is trending towards employing a closer committee, Kerkering, with his 2.54 ERA across 28.1 total innings, could be in line for more save opportunities.
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Phillies' Orion Kerkering: Excellent stretch continues in win
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Kerkering (5-2) threw a clean eighth inning in Saturday's 3-2 victory over the Blue Jays, striking out one while earning the win.
Kerkering has been excellent in relief for over a month now -- he last conceded an earned run back on May 6. The 24-year-old right-hander's streak of no earned runs is up to 13.1 innings, during which he owns a 1.20 WHIP and 12:7 K:BB. It was interesting to see the Phillies bypass presumed closer Jordan Romano in a save opportunity in favor of left-hander Matt Strahm on Saturday, which suggests the club may have an unclear bullpen hierarchy that could also leave the door open for Kerkering to work his way into the mix.
Kerkering (4-1) was credited with the win in Saturday's 9-6 extra-innings victory over the Athletics, allowing one hit and two walks with no strikeouts during a scoreless 10th inning.
Both of Kerkering's walks were intentional, and he's now worked seven consecutive scoreless outings. The 24-year-old right-hander has improved his ERA from 6.48 on April 22 to 3.72 by giving up just two runs over his last 11 frames. Jordan Romano is positioned as Philadelphia's closer, but Kerkering remains in the high-leverage mix as a setup man with eight holds in 2025.
Kerkering (3-1) allowed four runs (one earned) on three hits over one inning against the Phillies on Tuesday. He struck out two and earned a win after being charged with a blown save.
Kerkering gave up an RBI double to James Wood and a three-run shot to Nathaniel Lowe after entering with a 5-2 lead. Fortunately for Kerkering, an error in the frame kept three of those runs from affecting his ERA. He gave up one run through his first seven innings of the season but has since allowed nine runs (six earned) over his last 4.1 frames, spiking his ERA to 5.56. Jose Alvarado allowed two hits and struck out three in a scoreless eighth inning.
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Phillies' Orion Kerkering: Tallies third hold Saturday
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Kerkering logged a hold Saturday against St. Louis after recording two outs in the seventh inning. He struck out one.
With the potential tying run at the plate, Kerkering was called upon to safeguard a 4-1 lead in the seventh inning and retired Nolan Gorman and Lars Nootbaar to close the frame. Jose Alvarado has taken over as Philadelphia's favorite for saves for the time being amid Jordan Romano's early-season struggles, but Kerkering remains an option for high-leverage work as well. Although he's blown his lone save opportunity while logging a shaky 1.50 WHIP and 4:3 K:BB, the right-hander has posted three holds and managed to allow just one run through 5.1 innings thus far.
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