DETROIT — It occurred in gradual movement as a result of, nicely, nobody has seen a play fairly like this in virtually a century.
Matt Vierling hacked at an Aaron Nola sinker within the third inning of Monday’s recreation between the Phillies and Tigers. He cracked his bat in half. The ball floated into Nola’s glove. Two Tigers on base had no concept. Nola fired to first base for the second out. Bryce Harper took his time, lobbed the ball to Alec Bohm at third base, and it was completed.
A 1-3-5 triple play.
It was the primary triple play in Main League Baseball this season and the primary 1-3-5 triple play since July 11, 1929, in line with SABR’s database.
🚨 TRIPLE PLAY 🚨 pic.twitter.com/eHmPP4ejv6
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) June 24, 2024
The Phillies had not turned a triple play since 2017 when Rhys Hoskins was a rookie left fielder and he initiated a 7-4-3 triple play. This was the primary triple play involving a Phillies pitcher since Aug. 15, 1964, and the shortstop in the midst of that play was Ruben Amaro. His son, Ruben Amaro Jr., was within the ballpark Monday evening broadcasting the sport for NBC Sports activities Philadelphia.
You by no means know what you’ll see.
(Picture of Matt Vierling breaking his bat as he hits right into a triple play: Rick Osentoski / USA Immediately)