by Dan Trammel

Created on: January 17, 2009   Last Updated: July 15, 2011

On July 17, 1990, the Minnesota Twins became the first Major League Baseball team to turn two triple plays in the same game. But it was not enough to overcome Tom Bolton and the Boston Red Sox, as the Twins dropped a heartbreaker, 1-0, at Fenway Park. Red Sox starter Bolton struck out six batters and scattered five hits over eight shutout innings. Shortstop Tim Naehring collected his first hit and RBI to provide the margin of victory. Closer Jeff Reardon entered the game in the ninth inning and recorded his 16th save of the season. After the game, however, no one was discussing the performances of Naehring or the Red Sox pitchers. Everyone wanted to discuss a feat so rare Red Sox second baseman Jody Reed described it is as being "like landing on the moon".

Minnesota's first triple play occurred in the fourth inning after starter Scott Erickson walked Wade Boggs, allowed a double to Reed, and walked Carlos Quintana. With Red Sox cleanup hitter Tom Brunansky at the plate, Twins third baseman Gary Gaetti turned to Boggs and said, "A 5-4-3 triple play is coming up right here." Just as Gaetti predicted, Brunansky hit a ground ball down the third base line. Gaetti fielded it, stepped on third base, fired to second base where Al Newman pivoted and threw to Kent Hrbek at first to complete the triple play.

History, however, was made in the eighth inning. With the Red Sox clinging to the 1-0 lead, Naehring doubled off of relief pitcher John Candelaria and Boggs drew a walk. The Red Sox called for a hit-and-run and Reed lined the ball down the third base line. Gaetti speared it, stepped on third, again fired to Newman at second, and on to Hrbek at first.

To date, more than 600 triple plays have been turned in Major League Baseball history. The Twins' feat, however, is the only occurrence of one team turning two in the same game. In fact, there has never been an instance of two teams combining for two triple plays in one game. Unfortunately, no one remembered to retrieve the baseballs. By the time Newman thought to retrieve the second one, the ninth inning had started, and Reardon had the ball in his hand. Presumably, both balls were fouled off into the stands.

It is understandable that the Twins did not fully realize the magnitude of the moment as it occurred. They were no strangers to triple plays. The two triple plays were the fifth and sixth such plays that Gaetti had been involved in since he joined the club in 1981.

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