Derek Hill’s game-changing catch robbed a likely Juan Soto home run early at Citi Field on Friday, helping Zack Wheeler deliver seven strong innings and push the Phillies to a 2-1 win over the Mets. The victory extended the Phillies’ momentum while marking the
By the time the crowd had barely found their seats at Citi Field on Friday, Derek Hill had already turned the day into a story.
In the first inning, the momentum was there for the Mets—at least on paper. Juan Soto looked to flip a turbulent morning for New York into something brighter when he turned on a 96-mile-per-hour Zack Wheeler fastball. The swing sent the ball deep to right center. carrying at 104 mph off the bat and looking like it was headed for a two-run homer.
Hill had other plans. The Phillies center fielder shaded toward the left side of second base. read the flight early. and never let the ball get behind him. He turned back and ran as the pitch stayed on the edge of danger. then tracked it toward the warning track. Though he never appeared rushed, he leapt at the track and extended over the fence. His elbow cleared the top as he brought back that potential home run ball.
Zack Wheeler watched it happen with a quiet kind of relief. He began his career with the Mets and has long been frustrated by what he saw as their constant drama—so when he had the chance to watch Soto’s blast turn into an out, he simply laughed.
After the catch, the Phillies treated it like more than a highlight. Brandon Marsh—already moving in from right field as backup—yanked off his cap to sprint over and congratulate Hill. Bryce Harper celebrated at first base, while Alec Bohm stood with his hands on his head and stared in amazement.
The moment had the feel of something that would be replayed for days. It was already shaping up as a contender for catch of the year.
From there, Wheeler did the job. He went seven innings, gave up just one run and four hits, and struck out seven. His control turned Hill’s first-inning save into an advantage the Phillies could actually protect, sealing a 2-1 win.
It also came in the middle of a stretch that has felt volatile for both teams. This was just the kind of week Hill and the Phillies—and the Mets—have been having.
Wednesday, Hill hit a go-ahead two-run homer in a 5-4 win down to the last out against the Nationals. Thursday, he had another homer in the ninth. The Phillies acquired Hill from the White Sox on June 11, and Friday delivered another early punch—only this time, it was delivered with his glove.
For the Mets, the loss landed with a heavy weight. They fell for the seventh straight game, even as Soto produced the kind of power swing the moment demanded.
Derek Hill Juan Soto Phillies Mets Zack Wheeler Citi Field MLB catch of the year
So he robbed Soto… cool catch I guess but Mets still gonna Mets.
I swear every time I hear about Wheeler it’s like drama drama drama then one good inning and everyone claps. That catch was insane though, like how do you even judge that off the bat??
Wait I thought it said “seize momentum” but then it’s just a 2-1 game lol. Also the article says Soto looked like it was headed for a homer, but then Hill plays center so why isn’t it credited as a bad pitch or something. Maybe Soto can’t hit fastballs at all?
By the time the crowd found their seats?? That’s embarrassing. And Derek Hill always showing up now, like where was this energy before June 11?? I don’t even follow Phillies that much but that “catch of the year” talk is already too much, still it’s wild Soto didn’t get that one.