Every time you go to the stadium, you might see something you’ve never seen before. And that’s what happened Monday at Guaranteed Rate Field, where fans witnessed the first 8-5 triple play in MLB history. The Minnesota Twins turned the first-ever triple play against the host Chicago White Sox (GameTracker), although it would be more accurate to say the White Sox ran the triple play.
Here is the video. AJ Pollock lifted a well-hit fly ball with runners on first and second to Byron Buxton in center field, and Yoan Moncada and Adam Engel both had a slight mental lapse on the bases after the catch.
Although the triple play is the headliner, you have to take a moment to appreciate Buxton’s catch. It was not an easy game. Statcast says Pollock’s swing had an 82 percent strikeout probability based on launch angle and exit velocity. Buxton is so good at center.
MLB.com and the SABR database confirm that it is indeed the first 8-5 triple in baseball history. By my unofficial count, this is the 27th triple game started by a center fielder, and the first since former New York center fielder Angel Pagan started an 8-2-6-3 triple game with a walkout against the Washington Nationals in 2010. .
The Twins have made a habit of playing triple plays in recent years. Monday was the fourth since 2019. No team has more. The White Sox, meanwhile, have made it three games in back-to-back seasons after going without one from 2011-20.
This is the third triple play this season. The Texas Rangers played a 3-3-6 triple play against the Seattle Mariners on April 20, and the Nationals played a 5-4-3 triple play against the Milwaukee Brewers on May 20.
title: “Twins Byron Buxton Hits First 8 5 Triple Play In Mlb History Against White Sox " ShowToc: true date: “2022-11-13” author: “Edward Roberts”
Every time you go to the stadium, you might see something you’ve never seen before. And that’s what happened Monday at Guaranteed Rate Field, where fans saw the first 8-5 triple (center to third baseman) in MLB history. The Minnesota Twins turned the first-of-its-kind triple play against the host Chicago White Sox in an eventual 6-3 victory, although it would be more accurate to say the White Sox ran the triple play.
AJ Pollock lifted a well-struck fly ball with no outs and runners on first and second to Byron Buxton in center field, and Yoan Moncada and Adam Engel both had a bit of a mental lapse on the bases after the catch. Here is the video.
It’s a confusing game, so here’s the breakdown: Buxton’s Catch is the first to come out. The second is Gio Urshela tagging out Moncada, who was the runner on first base when the play started. Third is Urshela who steps on second base to double off Engel. Engel was way out of the box and somewhere close to home at the time.
Although the triple play is the headliner, you have to take a moment to appreciate Buxton’s catch. It was not an easy game. Statcast says Pollock’s swing had an 82 percent strikeout probability based on launch angle and exit velocity. Buxton is so good at center. Engel said he thought the ball was not caught, so he ran for home.
“When he looked toward the wall, I thought he was looking for the ball to go down,” Engel told MLB.com. “I just made a bad play. I made a mistake on it. Unfortunately. It cost us a couple of runs there, probably, and we probably would have won the game.”
MLB.com and the SABR database confirm that it is indeed the first 8-5 triple in baseball history. By my unofficial count, this is the 27th triple game started by a center fielder, and the first since former New York center fielder Angel Pagan started an 8-2-6-3 triple game with a walkout against the Washington Nationals in 2010. .
The Twins have made a habit of playing triple plays in recent years. Monday was the fourth since 2019. No team has more. The White Sox, meanwhile, have made it three games in back-to-back seasons after going without one from 2011-20.
This is the third triple play this season. The Texas Rangers went 3-6 against the Seattle Mariners on April 20, and the Nationals went 5-4-3 against the Milwaukee Brewers on May 20.
