Tribe's Cabrera turns 14th unassisted triple play in MLB history

Tribe's Cabrera turns 14th unassisted triple play in MLB history
Associated Press

CLEVELAND -- Indians second baseman Asdrubal Cabrera turned the 14th unassisted triple play in major league history, accomplishing the feat Monday night in the second game of a doubleheader against Toronto.

Cabrera made a diving catch on a line drive by Lyle Overbay, touched second base and then tagged out Marco Scutaro to quickly end the fifth inning.

Colorado shortstop Troy Tulowitzki made the last unassisted triple play in the majors, on April 29, 2007, against Atlanta. Oakland second baseman Randy Velarde last turned the trick in the AL, on May 29, 2000, against the Yankees.

This was the record third unassisted triple play by a Cleveland fielder.
Indians shortstop Neal Ball made the first one in history, in 1909. Cleveland second baseman Bill Wambsganss turned the only one in the World Series, in 1920 during a Game 5 win over Brooklyn.

Undefeated Cliff Lee, who came in 6-0 with an 0.81 ERA, gave up consecutive singles to Kevin Mench and Scutaro to open the Blue Jays fifth.

The runners took off on the pitch and Overbay hit a line drive up the middle. Cabrera moved to his right, grabbed the ball with a backhanded dive and held up his glove to show the umpire he'd made the catch.

Cabrera then took a couple of steps to touch second to get Mench, who was already standing at third base.

Cabrera easily reached out to tag Scutaro, who had run past the bag. History made, Cabrera broke into a smile as he ran off the field with the game still scoreless.