Another day, another triple play for the White Sox, who have made turning three look as easy as 9-3-2-6-2-5; 5-4-3; and 6-3 this season.
Rookie shortstop Tim Anderson was mostly responsible for Friday’s trifecta during the third inning of an 11-8 loss to the Braves at U.S. Cellular Field.
Anderson fielded Freddie Freeman’s grounder just to the left of second base, where he tagged Chase d’Arnaud. He then swiped the base with his left foot to force out Gordon Beckham before firing to Jose Abreu at first to end the third inning.
It’s the first time a team has pulled off three triple plays in a season since 1979, when the A’s and Red Sox did it, according to Elias.
"Basketball player, so it was just my instincts," Anderson said. "It happened so fast."
It also was the first time Anderson was part of a triple play. The play occurred during the only inning the Braves didn't score off Chris Sale, who allowed a season-high eight runs, including three home runs and a career-worst seven extra-base hits in five innings.
"He needed that, apparently," Ventura joked. "You don't count on those. You don't expect to see one in a year, let alone three."
Sale also flashed his sense of humor about the play while blaming himself for the loss.
"Let's get No. 4, take the record," Sale said of the triple play. "Had 'em right where I wanted them - first and second, nobody out."
Adam Eaton, Abreu, Dioner Navarro, Tyler Saladino and Todd Frazier were involved in the Sox’s first this year, which came against the Rangers on April 22. Frazier, Brett Lawrie and Abreu teamed up for No. 2 May 18 against the Astros.
The Brewers are the only other team in the majors to turn a triple play this season.
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