Prior to Monday, the last time a 1-3-5 triple play occurred in Major League Baseball, Babe Ruth was still six years away from playing his final season.
With the Tigers down 4-0, Zach McKinstry started it off in the third frame with a single to center off of Phillies starter Aaron Nola. Carson Kelly then followed that up with a single of his own to move McKinstry to third base. Matt Vierling tried to make things happen but hit a liner that went straight to Nola's glove. Nola then fired the ball to Bryce Harper at first base to double off Kelly. And to complete the triple play, Harper tossed the ball to Alec Bohm at third base to record the third out, with McKinstry making the mistake of running to home plate.
Interestingly enough, the Tigers were the team that last completed a 1-3-5 triple play in the big leagues before Philadelphia duplicated it, according to Sarah Langs of MLB.com.
“MLB's first 1-3-5 triple play since July 11, 1929 BY the Tigers vs BOS!”
Harper, of course, was left amused by what he and his team just accomplished.
“That was a pretty cool moment for all of us,” the two-time National League Most Valuable Player said of the play after the 8-1 win against Detroit, per ESPN. “It was like going back to Little League, we were so excited.”
After a mediocre stretch that saw the Phillies win just four of 11 games, Harper and company are heating up again. They have won their last three games and will look to make it four in a row when they face off against Detroit anew this Tuesday night. Harper had a big game himself, offensively in Game 1 of the Tigers series, as he went 3-for-5 with a home run, three runs, and five RBIs. Nola secured the pitching win with just an earned run allowed on six hits with six strikeouts through seven innings of work on the mound.
Fans go wild over unreal play by Phillies during win over the Tigers
Here are some of the reactions from fans to that incredible defensive play by the Phillies:
“I haven’t seen this much chaos since my 1st marriage!” said @WizardOddsShow.
“Where was bro on third running 😭,” wondered @PhilliesJake.
“I'm approaching 60 and watched a lot of baseball, that is the 1st triple play I've ever seen live ! Holy smoly,” claimed @Flyersfan1111.
“That was so cool watching the Phightins turn that live!” added @AndytheChoochSJ.
“So remarkable, definitely, but I'm surprised it's been 95 years since this has happened. I wonder if a 1-5-3 is slightly more likely than a 1-3-5,” per @tachyonsoul.
“Fun Fact: the last time an NL East leading team turned a triple play on the road during the regular season, that same team ended up losing in the NLDS later that year. We shall see if history repeats itself. Haha Hats off to a Nice play,” shared @GoGoLucki.
“As a long time HS coach, I always tell my players on 3rd to make sure any ball gets by the P before advancing.
And these are pros?” sarcastically asked @Cooper19874.
From @Roof4LHater: “Possibly the coolest thing they’ve done this year and there is a lot of cool things they’ve done this year”
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