Watch: Braves OF robs HR with possible catch of the year

Michael Harris II. Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Braves' Michael Harris II robs home run with possible catch of the year

By Adam Gretz | Last updated Aug 31, 2024 10:21 PM ET

The Atlanta Braves lost a 3-0 decision to the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday night, but it would have been a little bit worse had center fielder Michael Harris II not made what might be the best catch of the 2024 Major League Baseball season.

In the bottom of the seventh inning, Phillies outfielder Austin Hays hit a deep fly ball to center field that looked like it was going to easily clear the wall for a home run to increase the Phillies' lead.

That's when Harris II did this to bring it back.

MICHAEL HARRIS II CAUGHT THIS BASEBALL pic.twitter.com/tYg9ONCQue
— MLB (@MLB) September 1, 2024

Forget just this season; that is one of the best catches in recent memory made by an outfielder bringing back a home run. The Phillies were able to add a run later that inning anyway, but that does not take away from the play Harris II made.

It ended up being a huge win for the Phillies as they increased their lead in the National League East to six games over the second-place Braves.
Atlanta is still trying to hold on to a wild-card spot in the National League as the division starts to look out of reach going into the final month of the regular season.

Despite some major injury issues to key players in its lineup, Atlanta is still 14-7 since snapping a six-game losing streak in the first week of August. The Braves are playing without Ronald Acuna Jr., Ozzie Albies, Austin Riley and ace starting pitcher Spencer Strider.

Adam Gretz

Adam Gretz is a freelance writer based in Pittsburgh. He covers the NHL, NFL, MLB and NBA. Baseball is his favorite sport -- he is nearly halfway through his goal of seeing a game in every MLB ballpark. Catch him on Twitter @AGretz

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