Angels play a rare threesome not seen in over half a century

ANAHEIM — When the Angels needed it most, they turned in a triple play not seen in the major leagues in over a half century.

With runners in the corners and not out in a tied game against the Rays in the ninth inning, their inside defense made it.

The Angels switched to a 6-4-3-2 triple play behind reliever Carlos Estevez, and held their series opener against the Rays on Friday night at Angel Stadium, though they ended up losing in 10 innings, 9-6. It was the first such triple play in the Majors in over half a century, since 1971.

Harold Ramirez didn’t make it easy for Estevez, throwing away five pitches in a seven-court match. But he was stopped last by Luis Rengifo, who turned the ball over to Brandon Drury at second base to get out Randy Arzarena. Drury then launched the ball at rookie Nolan Chanwell at first base for the second out, at which point Yandy Diaz swooped in from third on an attempt to score the go-ahead.

But Chanwell saw the play unfold and threw the ball to catcher Logan Ohope, who brought Diaz out to complete the seventh triple play in Angels history, going 6-4-3-2 on the scorecard. The Rays contested calls on first and home runs, but they were upheld after a replay review.

It was the first triple game by the Angels since July 5, 1997, against Seattle, making them the team that has gone the longest since their last triple game. Meanwhile, the Rays entered a triple play for the fourth time in franchise history, having done so as recently as April 17, 2014.