The Philadelphia Phillies released their starting lineup for their series opener against the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday, and there was an intriguing wrinkle in the opening nine. With 2024 NL Cy Young champion left-hander Chris Sale on the mound for the Braves, Phillies manager Rob Thomson wanted to add more right-handed batters to his lineup.

Thomson named Edmundo Sosa the starting left fielder in an attempt to get the Phillies’ hottest bat into the order. Ironically, it wasn’t Sosa’s bat that drew the crowd’s attention 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 previously started a game in the outfield during his professional baseball career, faced a challenge right away in the first inning. And wow, did he deliver — possibly with the play of the year.

With the Phillies holding a 1-0 lead after stringing together three hits in the top of the first, Braves designated hitter Marcell Ozuna launched a deep fly ball to left field with two outs. The ball came off the bat at 102.8 mph and looked like a sure solo home run.

But then came Sosa.

In his very first defensive play of the game, Sosa tracked the towering fly all the way to the wall near the Phillies’ bullpen. At the last moment, he leapt, reached over the fence, and snatched the ball back as if he’d been making those catches forever.

Check out the highlight-worthy grab for yourself:

Sosa’s home-run robbery not the only memorable outfield play

Unfortunately, the happy sentiments did not last long. In the bottom of the second, a miscommunication between Sosa and center fielder Johan Rojas resulted in a double to left center field. It was an unappealing play, with both Phillies stopping in their tracks and the ball falling in the grass in front of Rojas’ foot.

What should have been the second out of the inning ended up forcing Phillies starter Zack Wheeler to work around the unnecessary baserunner. After recording another out, Wheeler walked Jarred Kelenic before Braves catcher Sean Murphy hit a three-run home drive well over the left field wall that even Sosa couldn’t catch.

Sosa entered Tuesday’s game hitting.550 with a 1.321 OPS after 21 plate appearances. The 29-year-old utility player has four doubles and six RBIs on the season and has already made significant contributions for the Phillies.

Sosa’s last major play before Tuesday’s home run robbery was driving in the winning run in Sunday’s comeback victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers.