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The Braves turned an impressive yet unorthodox triple play on Tuesday in their matchup against the Red Sox. Atlanta was aided by some poor Boston baserunning following a routine flyout.
The play is now going viral online, highlighting the rarely seen feat.
Triston Casas stepped to the dish in the bottom of the third inning with a pair of runners on base. The left-handed slugger slapped a pop up to centerfield, which was easily fielded by Atlanta’s Michael Harris.
Coming in to make the play, Harris noticed the runner at first straying far from the bag. He fired a laser over to Matt Olson for a force out.
Inexplicably, the runner at second then attempted to tag up on the play but was unable to make it to third base before Olson threw across the diamond. That baserunner was quickly tagged out by Braves’ infielder Austin Riley resulting in the uncommon 8-3-5 triple play.
TRIPLE PLAY!#ForTheA pic.twitter.com/HNDjdv9Asc
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) July 26, 2023
The triple play was the first for the Braves since 2004.
Fans immediately commented on the bizarre play.
Many noted the odd combination of putouts.
Yowza! You don’t see an 8-3-5 triple play very often. https://t.co/yH9VrZsBBI
— Mike Wilner (@Wilnerness) July 26, 2023
It was apparently the first of its kind since 1884.
This is only the second 8-3-5 triple play in AL/NL history! The first was turned on June 7, 1884, by the Boston Beaneaters (forerunners to today’s @Braves) against @OldHossRadbourn’s Providence Grays. https://t.co/muHvEEQauP #SABR https://t.co/uhuazBabJ3
— SABR (@sabr) July 26, 2023
Others commented on the poor Boston baserunning. Not exactly sure what the Red Sox were doing on the basepaths, here.
Sweet baserunning https://t.co/ugHL7YoX4l
— Steve Palazzolo (@PFF_Steve) July 26, 2023
Maybe the bright yellow jerseys gave them away.
If you want to be sneaky on the bases, don’t wear a banana costume. https://t.co/reac4mRNeK
— hbohei ohtani (@jessespector) July 26, 2023
Unfortunately, not much else went right for the Braves in a 7-1 loss.
Hopefully we don’t have to wait another 140 years to see an 8-3-5 triple play in the MLB.