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Wednesday, May 20, 2009

MLB.com: Rangers pull off triple play vs. Tigers

The Rangers thwarted a Tigers rally and made some history in the process on Wednesday night, when second baseman Ian Kinsler and shortstop Elvis Andrus teamed up for a triple play against the Tigers at Comerica Park.
...
After Laird fouled off a bunt attempt on the first pitch, manager Jim Leyland sent the runners in motion, setting up the extra outs when Laird lined out sharply to Kinsler, who flipped the ball to Andrus to tag second base for the second out on Inge. Once Andrus crossed the bag, he had a mere few steps to go to tag Raburn for the third out.
...
With that, the Rangers had pulled off the fifth triple play in franchise history, and their first since April 14, 2002, when former Rangers pitcher and future Tigers starter Kenny Rogers induced a fielder’s choice grounder from Seattle’s Ron Wright. That play featured two run-downs on the basepaths for the final two outs.

Ahh, the infamous Ron Wright game (K/GIDP/GITP in his one MLB game).

NTNgod Posted: May 20, 2009 at 08:47 PM | 24 comment(s)
Related News: General, Detroit, Texas

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1. puck Posted: May 20, 2009 at 08:04 PM (#3186860)

So, a triple play, another manager lineup card gaffe, and a David Ortiz HR, all on the same night? Weird.

2. jacksone (AKA It's OK...) Posted: May 20, 2009 at 08:10 PM (#3186870)

And two teams with back-to-back-to-back HR's. And possibly the record for putouts from one position.

3. puck Posted: May 20, 2009 at 08:19 PM (#3186881)

And possibly the record for putouts from one position

What's this one?

4. Marcel Posted: May 20, 2009 at 08:21 PM (#3186883)

And possibly the record for putouts from one position

What's this one?

Ellsbury

5. Hugh Jorgan Posted: May 20, 2009 at 08:38 PM (#3186903)

Ellsbury

he is also currently going for the "thrown out at the most inconvenient time in a game consecutively streak" after getting pinged for trying to steal 3rd yesterday with no one out in the 8th. And then getting dusted at home in today's game, which of course was followed by all the pyrotechnics in the 6 run inning.

6. jacksone (AKA It's OK...) Posted: May 20, 2009 at 09:09 PM (#3186988)

Too bad, he only tied the record. 12 putouts.

7. Hugh Jorgan Posted: May 20, 2009 at 09:10 PM (#3186989)

according to gameday, Ellsbury had 12 putouts. A record? Anyone?

8. Hugh Jorgan Posted: May 20, 2009 at 09:11 PM (#3186990)

Jacksone, apparently I owe you a coke.

9. Nasty Nate Posted: May 20, 2009 at 09:16 PM (#3187001)

So, a triple play, another manager lineup card gaffe, and a David Ortiz HR, all on the same night? Weird.

I was thinking it was a weird baseball night, but then some reliever for the Nationals gave up the winning run in the 9th inning which re-instilled a sense of normalcy.

10. Lazzeri Posted: May 20, 2009 at 09:55 PM (#3187087)

So, a triple play, another manager lineup card gaffe, and a David Ortiz HR, all on the same night? Weird.

Also, a Jeff Francoeur RBI.

11. RMc is the Commissioner of Baseball Posted: May 21, 2009 at 06:41 AM (#3187483)

Anybody know where the WPA chart is? I figure the worst thing a batter can do is come up in the bottom of the 9th, none out, bases loaded, down a run in a high-offense park...and hit into a triple play.

12. J. Bowman is the New Market Inefficiency Posted: May 21, 2009 at 08:18 AM (#3187572)

Ahh, the infamous Ron Wright game (K/GIDP/GITP in his one MLB game).

My immediate thought was, "wow, worst career ever." And quite possibly so, but Wright obviously doesn't agree with me. That article is great.

13. Gary Truth Serum Posted: May 21, 2009 at 09:31 AM (#3187656)

I didn't see the play, but from that description it sounds like Kinsler could have made it an unassisted triple play without much more effort.

Or would have it been more like that kid who made it into Sports Illustrated's "Faces in the Crowd" after running all over the diamond in order to record a UTP by himself?

14. tribefan Posted: May 21, 2009 at 09:36 AM (#3187660)

Ryan Raburn didn't do much to try to break it up, that's for sure. It's like he stopped so Andrus didn't have to run as far to tag him.

15. Dewey, Local Boy and Soupuss Posted: May 21, 2009 at 09:40 AM (#3187666)

And Kerry Wood converted a save, although it was quite the adventure (walk-walk-flyout-walk-strikeout-strikeout).

16. Insert clever/punny handle here (oi!) Posted: May 21, 2009 at 10:25 AM (#3187717)

Also, a Jeff Francoeur RBI.

That's less than weird though. Despite his overall suckitude, he's leading the Braves in RBI. Of course, that's tied for 46th in the NL according to B-R. But he has 19 in 38 games, so it's even odds he would drive in a run.

17. villageidiom Posted: May 21, 2009 at 10:34 AM (#3187729)

Triple plays in baseball are rare, exciting events. I was thinking on the way to work... what is a similar thing in the NBA? What events are notable for their rarity, and exciting to watch unfold?

18. JJ1986 Posted: May 21, 2009 at 10:37 AM (#3187737)

What events are notable for their rarity, and exciting to watch unfold?

Halfcourt shot? or something even longer.

19. Bob Dernier Cri

Posted: May 21, 2009 at 10:38 AM (#3187740)

What events are notable for their rarity, and exciting to watch unfold?

The Mavericks winning a playoff series?

20. franoscar Posted: May 21, 2009 at 10:50 AM (#3187758)

The radio announcers (the Tigers announcers, who got super-excited at the triple play anyway) commented that Kinsler probably could have done it all himself. But I guess there was no need. And everybody loves saying "Elvis Andrus".

21. jacksone (AKA It's OK...) Posted: May 21, 2009 at 01:11 PM (#3187968)

what is a similar thing in the NBA? What events are notable for their rarity, and exciting to watch unfold?

4-point play. Especially when they happen in close, end-of-game situations.

22. villageidiom Posted: May 21, 2009 at 01:25 PM (#3187988)

And everybody loves saying "Elvis Andrus".

Pray that he doesn't end up with the Yankees while Sterling is still there.

23. Obama Bomaye Posted: May 21, 2009 at 01:59 PM (#3188041)

4-point plays are more common than triple plays.

24. jacksone (AKA It's OK...) Posted: May 21, 2009 at 03:12 PM (#3188141)

4-point plays are more common than triple plays.

That's true, you do see them at pretty much every game. Nothing really special about them at all, when you really think about it.

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Wednesday, May 20, 2009

MLB.com: Rangers pull off triple play vs. Tigers

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