Triple play keys Dodgers’ win
LOS ANGELES -- Matt Kemp called it "very weird." Chase Headley described it as a "crazy occurrence."
Nearly everyone was shaking their heads after the Los Angeles Dodgers turned a bizarre triple play in the top of the ninth inning before Dee Gordon singled home the winning run in the bottom half of a 5-4 win over San Diego on Sunday.
It was 4-all when the Dodgers turned their first triple play since June 13, 1998, against Colorado.
Chris Denorfia led off with a single against closer Javy Guerra (1-0) and Headley walked. Jesus Guzman squared to bunt, but the inside pitch hit his bat as he backed away.
The ball landed in front of the plate and catcher A.J. Ellis alertly picked it up and threw to third. Guzman, startled by what happened, didn't run to first base, which made it easy for third baseman Juan Uribe to relay to shortstop Dee Gordon at second base. In turn, Gordon threw to James Loney to complete the triple play.
"As soon as I got the ball to Juan and nobody was running I said, 'This is going to be a triple play,' " Ellis said. "They were sure it was a foul ball and we were sure it was a bunted ball."
Padres manager Bud Black came out to argue and was ejected.
"There's not many times where a ball headed for the face turns into a triple play," Black said. "I looked at the tape, and it was a fair ball."
The Dodgers improved to 9-1, equaling their best start since opening the 1981 season with the same record.
Kemp hit his fourth homer in three games as the Dodgers sent San Diego to its fourth loss in a row.
AROUND THE MAJORS
AMERICAN LEAGUE
■ Yankees 11, Angels 5 -- At New York, Derek Jeter swatted a three-run homer, and Ivan Nova won his 14th straight decision.
■ Red Sox 6, Rays 4 -- At Boston, David Ortiz doubled in the go-ahead run for his seventh consecutive hit as Boston won its third straight.
■ Rangers 4, Twins 3 -- At Minneapolis, Josh Hamilton's two-run homer in the eighth capped Texas' three-run inning.
■ Tigers 5, White Sox 2 -- At Chicago, Gerald Laird homered among his three hits, and Detroit snapped Chicago's four-game winning streak.
■ Indians 13, Royals 7 -- At Kansas City, Mo., Travis Hafner hit one of the longest home runs in Kauffman Stadium history -- an estimated 456 feet.
■ Mariners 5, Athletics 3 -- At Seattle, Brendan Ryan hit a two-run homer for the Mariners.
■ Blue Jays 9, Orioles 2 -- At Toronto, Edwin Encarnacion hit a two-run shot as part of the Blue Jays' seven-run sixth inning.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
■ Phillies 8, Mets 2 -- At Philadelphia, Ty Wigginton drove in four runs.
■ Reds 8, Nationals 5 -- At Washington, Joey Votto hit a two-run double in the 11th inning.
■ Cardinals 10, Cubs 3 -- At St. Louis, rookie Matt Carpenter homered and had five RBIs.
■ Diamondbacks 5, Rockies 2 -- At Denver, starter Trevor Cahill earned his first win with Arizona.
■ Marlins 5, Astros 4 -- At Miami, Hanley Ramirez singled in the winning run in the 11th.
■ Braves 7, Brewers 4 -- At Atlanta, Chipper Jones hit a three-run homer in his return after missing two games.
■ Pirates 4, Giants 1 -- At San Francisco, Garrett Jones homered and Pittsburgh ended a five-game losing streak.
