When the Philadelphia Phillies announced their starting lineup for Tuesday’s series opener against the Atlanta Braves, there was a notable twist in the batting order. Facing 2024 NL Cy Young winner and left-hander Chris Sale, manager Rob Thomson aimed to add more right-handed hitters to counter the matchup.
To also keep the team’s hottest hitter in the mix, Thomson slotted Edmundo Sosa into left field. Interestingly, it wasn’t Sosa’s bat that turned heads early in the game.
Edmundo Sosa’s defensive play of the year for the Phillies brought back a Braves home run
Sosa, who had never started a professional game in the outfield before, faced an immediate challenge in the first inning—and he rose to the occasion in spectacular fashion, delivering what might be the play of the year.
With the Phillies leading 1-0 after a run on three hits in the top half, Braves designated hitter Marcell Ozuna launched a two-out fly ball to left. Coming off the bat at 102.8 mph, it looked like a sure solo homer.
Then came Sosa’s moment.
On his very first defensive play, he chased the towering drive all the way to the wall near the Phillies’ bullpen. In a stunning display of timing and athleticism, he leapt at the last second, reached over the fence, and robbed Ozuna of a home run—like he’d been patrolling the outfield his entire career.
Sosa’s home-run robbery not the only memorable outfield play
Unfortunately, the early excitement didn’t last long. In the bottom of the second inning, a miscommunication between Sosa and center fielder Johan Rojas allowed a routine fly ball to drop in left-center for a double. The play was tough to watch—both outfielders pulled up, and the ball plopped into the grass right in front of Rojas.
What should have been the second out of the inning instead gave Braves a free baserunner and forced Phillies ace Zack Wheeler to pitch around the mistake. After securing another out, Wheeler issued a walk to Jarred Kelenic, setting the stage for catcher Sean Murphy, who launched a no-doubt three-run homer deep over the left field fence—far out of Sosa’s reach this time.
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Despite the defensive hiccup, Sosa entered Tuesday’s game swinging a scorching hot bat, slashing .550 with a 1.321 OPS in just 21 plate appearances. With four doubles and six RBIs already this season, the 29-year-old utility man has consistently delivered for the Phillies.
Prior to his highlight-reel catch, Sosa’s last clutch moment came Sunday, when he drove in the game-winning run in the Phillies’ comeback victory over the Dodgers.
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