Rafael Furcal Turns an Unassisted Triple Play!

If you get a chance, check out ESPN for the playback on this one. For only the twelfth time in MLB history, Atlanta Braves shortstop Rafael Furcal turned an unassisted triple play against the St. Louis Cardinals last night:

Furcal single-handedly snuffed out a Cardinals rally in the fifth for the first unassisted triple play in the majors since Oakland second baseman Randy Velarde did it against the New York Yankees on May 29, 2000.

“I didn’t know right away,” Furcal said. “I wasn’t thinking of trying to get three outs by myself, I was just trying to get outs.”

With runners on first and second, Furcal made a leaping grab of pitcher Woody Williams’ liner. The runners were going on a 1-1 pitch, and Furcal stepped on second base to double up Mike Matheny before tagging out Orlando Palmeiro as he made a futile attempt to scamper back to first.

Furcal said he was once involved in a triple play in the minors.

“But it wasn’t all by myself,” he added.