Triple Play Helps Yankees Beat Orioles 5-2

A triple play in the eighth inning helped the Yankees reign supreme over the Orioles 5-2 on Friday night. The triple play was executed by Robinson Cano, Jayson Nix, Kevin Youkilis, and Lyle Overbay.

The last triple play by the Yankees was on April 22, 2010 at Oakland, though they hadn’t accomplished the rare feat at home since June 3, 1968 against Minnesota.

Baltimore began the eighth with two singles off CC Sabathia. Manny Machado also hit a sharp low liner toward Caro. It was that hit that allowed the Yankees to make the stunning play.

The score was 2-2 in the seventh, but the Yankees were able to load the bases on two walks and a hit batter. Wells then hit a long fly ball that was flubbed by the Orioles’ center fielder. He closed his glove too early and the ball bounced away, clearing the bases. The play made the score 5-2, which remained through the ninth inning.

Triple plays are relatively rare in baseball. They require several things to come in line, such as: two runners already on base, no outs, a batted ball that lets the opposing team field it quickly so that three baserunners can be tagged out, and quick action taken by the fielders.

There have been 692 triple plays in Major League Baseball from 1876 until Friday’s play by the Yankees. Baltimore Orioles third baseman Brooks Robinson, presided over two triple plays in one season. But the Minnesota Twins are so far the only team in baseball history to turn two triple plays in just one game. But despite their quick action, the Twins still lost the game 1-0.

Yankees third baseman Youkilis stated of the triple play during Friday’s game:

“That’s one of the coolest things I’ve ever had on the field. You don’t see one written up like that. It was special. This game we play, it’s one of these games where it’s a job and it’s a grind at times. But when stuff like that happens, you feel like you’re back playing Little League again.”

Are you glad the Yankees won Friday night, with the help of their eighth inning triple play?

[Image via Mr. Kjetil Ree]