But the key was Pedroia hanging in as Casey Kotchman bore in on him at second. This was routine for Pedroia, who turns the double play as well as anyone. Pedroia managed a throw that got Rodriguez at first on a play that wasn’t even close.
“It was pretty cool,’’ Lowrie said. “I was thinking if I got a ground ball I’d just step on third and go to first, but he hit a two-hopper to my right side and it just set up perfect for a triple play. That’s the first one I’ve ever seen let alone been a part of. I know Pedroia is one of the best in the business at turning it so I knew we had a chance. I got the ball to him quick and on target. I know if I do that, I have a good chance of doing it. It’s exciting. That’s one of those plays in baseball you don’t get to see very often or be a part of.’’
Pedroia did not speak about the play after the Sox’ 6-2 loss, but first baseman Adrian Gonzalez said, “Once the ball was caught [at third] I thought if we executed the throws we’d have a chance, and we executed the throws.’’
John Valentin pulled off Boston’s last triple play - unassisted - on July 8, 1994 at Fenway.
With runners on the move at first and second in the sixth inning, he snared Marc Newfield’s liner, stepped on second to force Mike Blowers, and trotted a few steps to tag Keith Mitchell.
Valentin was able to do it with the bat that night as well, as his three-run homer enabled the Sox to overtake the Mariners, 4-3. Last night, the triple play couldn’t trigger a Sox victory.
Although we think of triple plays as rare, there have been three this season. The Indians pulled one on the White Sox April 3 at Progressive Field, and the Brewers turned one Monday night against the Dodgers at Miller Park.
For the Sox, ranked dead last in the American League with 90 double plays, second to last in the majors, it was unusual. It was the 11th triple play by the Red Sox since 1954.
That fourth inning started with a single to center by Upton and a single to left by Kotchman.
Sox starter Erik Bedard, who gave up two runs in the second inning, one because of Lowrie’s miscue, was spared by the triple play.
