Every time you go to the ballpark you see something you’ve never seen before. That was the case Monday at Guaranteed Rate Field, where fans witnessed the first 8-5 triple play in MLB history. The Minnesota Twins A first-of-its-kind triple turned the game against home Chicago White Sox (Game Tracker), it would be more accurate to say that the White Sox ran into a triple play.
Here is the video. A.J. Pollock lofted a well-struck fly ball to Byron Buxton in center field with runners on first and second, and Yovan Moncada and Adam Engel were both mentally ill on the bases following the catch.
Take a moment to appreciate Buxton’s catch, even if the triple play is the title. It is not an easy play. Statcast says Pollock’s drive had an 82 percent success probability based on launch angle and exit velocity. Buxton Center is well within the sector.
MLB.com and the SABR database confirm It was actually the first 8-5 triple play in baseball history. By my unofficial count, this is the 27th triple game started by a center fielder and the first. New York Mets Center fielder Angel Bacon He started the 8-2-6-3 triple with a shoestring catch vs Washington Nationals In 2010.
The Twins have made a habit of switching three plays over the past few years. Monday was their fourth since 2019. No team is superior. The White Sox, meanwhile, have hit three plays in back-to-back seasons after going without one in back-to-back seasons from 2011-20.
It was the third triple this season. The Texas Rangers The 3-3-6 triple changed the game against Seattle Mariners On April 20, And the Nationals switched to a 5-4-3 triple play on May 20 against the Milwaukee Brewers..
