We’ve already seen six triple plays in the Major Leagues this year, which led me to consider the unique circumstances that can lead to a triple-killing. Well, it just so happens that today (September 2) is the tenth anniversary of one of the most unique triple plays ever – one in which the bat never made contact with the ball.
Photo by Keith Allison 
On September 6, 2006, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays were taking on the Seattle Mariners (in Tampa) – when Seattle LF/cleanup hitter Raul Ibanez did (uniquely) not hit into a triple play. Yet, by not hitting, Ibanez set a triple play in motion.
It happened in the top of the first, with J.P. Howell pitching for the Devils Rays (as they were known then). Seattle’s speedy CF Ichiro Suzuki led off with an infield single. 2B Jose Lopez followed with a walk and then 3B Adrian Beltre singled; bringing home Suzuki and sending Lopez to third. That set the stage.
Runners on first and third, no one out and LF Raul Ibanez at the plate. Ibanez worked the count full and then took a third strike. Beltre was off with the pitch and gunned down – catcher Dioner Navarro to shortstop Ben Zobrist. Meanwhile, Lopez attempted to score from third on the play at second – and was thrown out – Zobrist back to Navarro. So, there it was a 2-6-2 triple play, with the bat never touching the ball. Ibanez had truly not hit into a triple play. Ultimately, the Mariners won the game 4-3, with the winning run (carried by Ibanez) scoring on a more traditional sacrifice fly in the top of the eighth.
As an aside, the Devil Rays were no strangers to unique triple plays in 2006. Earlier in the season, in the second inning of a June 11, 2006 game against the Royals in Kansas City, Tampa Bay was the victim of an unusual triple-killing. DH Jonny Gomes led off the inning with a home run against Royals’ righty Scott Elarton. Then 3B Aubrey Huff walked and CF Rocco Baldelli singled – sending Huff to third. The stage was set for RF Russell Branyan – runners on first and third and no one out. (Sound familiar?)
Branyan flied out to Royals’ CF David DeJesus, who made a nice catch in shallow center. Huff went home, apparently scoring, as DeJesus’ throw sailed well over catcher Paul Bako’s head. Baldelli attempted to take second on the wild throw, but was thrown out by pitcher Elarton, who was alertly backing up the play at the plate. Royals’ SS Angel Berroa took the throw and tagged out Baldelli. He then threw to 3B Mark Teahen, with the Royals asserting that Huff had left the base early. The umpires agreed and the Royals had an 8-1-6-5 triple play. Tampa Bay won the game 8-2.
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