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Orion Kerkering earns first career save, and more trust, as Phillies adjust bullpen mix
MIAMI — The celebration was typical: Catcher Rafael Marchán ran to reliever Orion Kerkering for a high five, then they embraced in the infield. The pair lined up and high-fived gray-clad teammates as the remnants of a library-quiet loanDepot park filed out around them after a 5-2 Phillies win.
With the celebrations came a weight off Kerkering's chest: He had recorded his first career save.
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His catcher did not know. Manager Rob Thomson did not know. Most of the Phillies had no clue that, as they high-fived Kerkering, clubhouse services director Phil Sheridan was retrieving the ball for authentication and to, as Kerkering put it, make it 'look all nice and pretty.'
'Kerkering's weird,' Marchán said. 'I was surprised. Like, 'Man, you've been here so long. And you have your first save?' But I'm happy for him. He's been throwing the ball really well.'
Save No. 1 for Orion!#RingTheBell
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) June 17, 2025
The clubhouse lit up when reliever Tanner Banks, whose locker sits next to Kerkering's at Citizens Bank Park, started spreading the word. First the Phillies were surprised. Then the cheering began for a teammate who posted a 6.52 ERA in April before finding his footing and slinging his way to a 0.00 ERA so far in June.
Kerkering rediscovered his sweeper, a signature pitch that lost its movement earlier this season. He's pitching with poise. And now, he's checked off an elusive first.
Six save opportunities had passed Kerkering by before he made Miami Marlins third baseman Connor Norby ground out with a 99.2 mph fastball to end Monday night's game.
Two of those outings still troubled Kerkering, even after getting the job done in Miami. There was the one-run lead with two outs in Baltimore last season that the Orioles erased, tying the game when he threw a wild pitch in the 10th inning. Then, in April, he blew a three-run lead against the Nationals.
'Last year, I think I was in my head about it,' Kerkering said. 'It's just one of those small defeats… but to finally just get it done and over with, that helps a lot.'
Pitching the ninth on Monday was yet another test for Kerkering, whom Thomson has trusted in high-leverage situations as he's regained his form. Thomson likes the righty's aggression and ability to overwhelm hitters. Kerkering has rewarded him. Could the 24-year-old close more games for the Phillies?
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'Could be,' Thomson said. 'He's throwing the ball great.'
Reliever Jordan Romano, the righty who most often pitches the ninth, took the mound with the Phillies leading in the seventh. That's when it first crossed Kerkering's mind: his first career save, again, was in reach.
It was an atypical spot for Romano, who signed a one-year, $8.5 million contract in the offseason. At the time, president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski called the two-time All-Star 'one of the best back-end, high-leverage guys in baseball.' But it has been a rough go, as Romano's ERA sits at 6.84 — an improvement from his 12.19 mark at the end of April. Two of his three losses have come in June.
Why did Romano pitch the seventh? Thomson said it was the group of hitters coming up — the same reason he gave for Kerkering pitching the ninth.
But the trust Kerkering has earned set up the opportunity. He took advantage Monday, pitching a 1-2-3 ninth to finish off a win that featured five innings of one-run ball from rookie Mick Abel followed by four Phillies relievers. Only Matt Strahm allowed a hit.
Kerkering has thrived in more and more high leverage situations, like pitching a scoreless, one-walk ninth with the score tied against the Chicago Cubs on June 9. That was the first time he'd pitched the ninth since the blown save against the Nationals in April. Thomson attributed it to liking the matchup. Romano followed in the tenth that night versus Chicago, also throwing a scoreless frame.
Now, a changing of the guard could be on its way in the bullpen. Kerkering has been sharp. The Phillies have long felt he could be a closer. Three seasons into his big-league tenure, this could be his time.
But the here and now feels good for Kerkering. Keeping it rolling since May feels good. Not overthinking, getting his sweeper back on track, finding the positives in tough at-bats, that first save — it all feels good.
On the mound, though, that leaves his mind.
'When I'm out there, it's just game time,' he said.
(Top photo of Orion Kerkering and Rafael Marchán: Lynne Sladky / Associated Press)
