The Philadelphia Phillies pulled off a rare feat Monday night in Detroit, thanks in part to a major mistake by the Tigers.
The Phillies turned a triple play in the third inning of their game against the Tigers at Comerica Park, marking the first successful triple play in the league so far this season. It was also the first triple play the Phillies had run since 2017, and the first 1-3-5 triple play in Major League Baseball since 1929. according to Jayson Stark of The Athletic. Remarkably, that triple play was also made by the Tigers in Detroit.
With the Phillies ahead 4-0, Detroit’s Matt Vierling hit a line drive straight to Philadelphia pitcher Aaron Nola after breaking his bat. After successfully making the catch to record the first out, Nola threw the ball to first to get catcher Carson Kelly out after he had already headed toward second.
Then, with plenty of time left, the Phillies threw it over to third base to complete the final out of the inning, as shortstop Zach McKinstry had already sprinted past home. McKinstry didn’t seem to realize what had happened, as he was well past home plate before the Phillies even threw it to third base.
So just like that, the Tigers missed a great opportunity to get on the board.
The Phillies jumped out to a 4-0 lead almost immediately on Monday night to open the three-game series against the Tigers. Bryce Harper hit a two-RBI double to get things started in the first inning, then Alec Bohm followed with a two-run homer. That four-run lead continued in the fifth inning.
The Phillies entered Monday night with a 51-26 record, putting them seven full games ahead of the NL East. The Tigers, in contrast, are fourteen games behind the Cleveland Guardians and fourth in the AL Central.
This post will be updated soon with more information.