The Chicago White Sox turned an unusual triple play in the seventh inning of Friday night's game against Texas, with some great fielding combined with some poor base running by the Rangers.
The Rangers had bases loaded and nobody out. Rangers batter Mitch Moreland hit a liner to right field for the first out. Rangers runner Ian Desmond was halfway to second, so he had to scramble back to first as right fielder Adam Eaton threw the ball in. Desmond avoided the tag by the first baseman, but overran the bag. Desmond made a desperate attempt to leap back to the bag, but wasn't able to avoid the tag for the second out.
But wait, the play wasn't over.
First baseman Jose Abreu threw home to catcher Dioner Navarro to hold Prince Fielder at third, but meanwhile, Adrian Beltre had ran from second to third, meaning there were two runners on the same base. As Beltre tried to run back to second, Navarro threw to shortstop Tyler Saladino, who was covering second. Saladino chased Beltre towards third, forcing Fielder to move towards home. Saladino changed direction and followed Fielder towards home, throwing to Navarro at home, who threw back to third baseman Todd Frazier, who finally put the tag on Fielder for the third out.
In the end, it was your standard 9-3-2-6-2-5 triple play. Just like they drew it up.
[MLB]
The Rangers had bases loaded and nobody out. Rangers batter Mitch Moreland hit a liner to right field for the first out. Rangers runner Ian Desmond was halfway to second, so he had to scramble back to first as right fielder Adam Eaton threw the ball in. Desmond avoided the tag by the first baseman, but overran the bag. Desmond made a desperate attempt to leap back to the bag, but wasn't able to avoid the tag for the second out.
But wait, the play wasn't over.
First baseman Jose Abreu threw home to catcher Dioner Navarro to hold Prince Fielder at third, but meanwhile, Adrian Beltre had ran from second to third, meaning there were two runners on the same base. As Beltre tried to run back to second, Navarro threw to shortstop Tyler Saladino, who was covering second. Saladino chased Beltre towards third, forcing Fielder to move towards home. Saladino changed direction and followed Fielder towards home, throwing to Navarro at home, who threw back to third baseman Todd Frazier, who finally put the tag on Fielder for the third out.
In the end, it was your standard 9-3-2-6-2-5 triple play. Just like they drew it up.
[MLB]
Moonlighting as a blogger to pursue my interest and enjoyment of sports. Former high school and Division I athlete (now a "retired" family man) that loves watching and discussing all sports. Follow me on Twitter (@HoldoutSports) and like Holdout Sports on Facebook.
