Phillies complete rare triple play not seen in 95 years in victory over Tigers

The Philadelphia Phillies pulled off a rare feat Monday in Detroit – thanks in part to a big mistake by the Tigers.

The Phillies completed a triple play in the third inning of their 8-1 win over the Tigers at Comerica Park, which marked the league’s first successful triple play this season. It was also the first triple play the Phillies had completed since 2017 and the first 1-3-5 triple play in Major League Baseball since 1929, according to Jayson Stark of The Athletic. Remarkably, this triple play was also made by the Tigers in Detroit.

With the Phillies leading 4–0, Detroit’s Matt Vierling hit a line drive directly toward Philadelphia pitcher Aaron Nola after snapping his bat. After making the catch to record the first out, Nola threw the ball to first to bring out catcher Carson Kelly after he had already rushed to second.

Then, with plenty of time to spare, the Phillies threw him to third base to end the final out of the inning, as shortstop Zach McKinstry had already sprinted from third base. It appeared that McKinstry did not realize what had happened, as he was well past the plate before the Phillies even threw to third base.

Just like that, the Tigers missed a great opportunity to join the board and thus made an unfortunate history.

The Phillies took a 4-0 lead almost instantly Monday to open the three-game series against the Tigers. Bryce Harper hit a two-RBI double to start things off in the first, then Alec Bohm followed with a two-run homer. The Phillies added three more in the sixth inning, when Harper hit a three-run homer, then Bohm hit an RBI single in the eighth to push them to the seven-run victory.

The Phillies have now won three straight and hold a 52-26 record. They also entered Monday’s contest with a huge seven-game lead in the NL East standings. The Tigers, on the other hand, have lost six of their last eight games and sit in fourth place in the AL Central.