The Chicago Cubs turned the first triple play of the 2020 season– and their very first in more than 23 years– but it might not have actually counted if not for a little-known exception in MLBs replay guideline.
The play occurred in the bottom of the seventh inning in Wednesdays eventual 12-7 loss to the Cincinnati Reds. With the bases loaded, the Reds Shogo Akiyama lined a ball down the third-base line towards a diving Kris Bryant.
The Cubs 3rd baseman may or may not have caught the ball in the air– replays appeared to suggest he didnt– and after he got up, he stepped on the bag and tossed to first to complete the triple play.
Once 3rd base umpire Larry Vanover indicated out, whether Bryant made the catch or not didnt matter. Replay cant be used to evaluate balls captured in the infield.
” I was 100% sure I caught it but recalling at it, it was actually close,” Bryant said. “I guess I can put that on my list of things Ive accomplished. I dont believe Ive turned a triple play in my life so that was pretty cool.”
The Cubs themselves even appeared to acknowledge they caught a break by tweeting out an emphasize of the have fun with a shrug emoji.
The last time the Cubs turned a triple play, according to the Society for American Baseball Research, was on May 10, 1997.
Cubs turn questionable, unreviewable triple play in loss to Reds – USA TODAY
