PHILADELPHIA — Phillies outfielder Derek Hill, a strong defender and a clutch performer since arriving in a June trade, exited after crashing hard into the center-field wall in the top of the 11th inning of the club’s 10-4 extra-inning loss to the Washington Nationals on Wednesday night at Citizens Bank Park.
Hill, who had entered the game off the bench as a pinch-hitter in the seventh, went all out for a CJ Abrams go-ahead, two-run triple off reliever Caleb Kilian, hitting the chain-link section of the fence. The ball caromed off the padding toward right field as Hill remained on the ground. He later walked off the field with trainers.
Phillies interim manager Don Mattingly said Hill suffered a bruised shoulder, but the team will continue to evaluate “everything” following that type of play. Hill was not made available for comment after the game.
“It’s a little bit of everything,” Mattingly said. “You hit a wall like that, it’s not too forgiving.”
Hill is batting .268 with five home runs and an .814 OPS in 34 games with the Phillies. He’s had a number of memorable moments, including a go-ahead grand slam and subsequent play in the left-center alley on Monday. On Wednesday, he had a well-timed steal of third that allowed him to score on a Trea Turner sacrifice fly, which could’ve been an extra-base hit if not for an incredible catch by right fielder Dylan Crews, to tie the game back up in the 10th.
Bryce Harper was later caught stealing at second to end the inning, and he had an injury scare of his own. His hand got stuck underneath him on his head-first slide, Mattingly said, but Harper stayed in the game. Two batters into the 11th, Hill had to leave the game. Brandon Marsh moved from left field to center field in his place, while Bryan De La Cruz was inserted to play left.
This all came after starting pitcher Andrew Painter was removed from his outing with tightness in his left hamstring, though the rookie said he should be able to make his next scheduled start.
The Phillies (61-54) will continue to check on Hill on Thursday. He’s been a useful role player for a team that is already short on right-handed bats and struggles against left-handed pitching, so any period of absence could be costly to some extent.
“I think give it a chance to evaluate overnight,” Mattingly said, “and see what happens, how he comes in tomorrow.”
berksbaseball
August 6, 2026 at 11:09 am
Another dumb ass move by the fading super star Harper. You don’t steal second there with our top hitter behind him. Even if he was successful they would of walked Arraez leaving Bohm up against a right hander. Arraez’s odds of hitting a double there are way greater than Bohm getting a hit. If the manager called the steal, then Donnie baseball and his array of coaches are even dumber than Harper.
Jeff W
August 7, 2026 at 3:40 pm
He can’t jog in RF like he does going to first base that’s for sure.
Cecilia Paone
August 6, 2026 at 1:37 pm
Get well soon Derek! You are missed.
Jim Walter
August 6, 2026 at 5:14 pm
That was MY QUESTION
WHY WAS PAINTER PULLED AFTER 4
But MORE THAN THAT WHY DID THAT IDIOT J T NOT CALL FOR A LOOK ? AT THE OBVIOUS BALL THAT WAS CALLED A STRIKE THAT WOULD HAVE LOADED THE BASES AND POSSIBLY MADE THE SCORE 4 to 3 PHILLIES IN THE TOP OF THE NINTH ?????????????
Christine Wetmore
August 7, 2026 at 5:45 pm
I AGREE!!!@
Jim Walter
August 6, 2026 at 5:33 pm
This isn’t the first time I ended up screaming at the television when J T didn’t ask for a look ? at a call that was WRONG , wouldn’t you think a catcher would be able to see wrong calls more than any other player on the team
Also in one game against the Nationals in Washington the third base umpire called a ball fair for both teams when the ball was fair passed third base and hit the grass FOUL after third . THEY DONT DO THIS SHIT IN WILLIAMSPORT
Jay Brennan
August 6, 2026 at 9:24 pm
They were out of challenges, my man. JT used the last challenge earlier in the at-bat.
Jeff W
August 7, 2026 at 3:39 pm
I hate to be “that guy” but it looked like Hill kind of misplayed that ball. Still think he’s a good addition and hope he’s back soon.