Must watch: Yankees turn lightning-quick triple play

New York Yankees, Gio Urshela
Apr 7, 2019; Baltimore, MD, USA; New York Yankees third baseman Gio Urshela (29) throws to first base during the third inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

In a hotly contested game that featured two left-handed pitchers trading zero after zero for most of the night, the New York Yankees ended up prevailing 2-1 over the Chicago White Sox, thanks to a walk-off hit by Gleyber Torres and a certain play that was the highlight of the evening.

Yankees’ closer Aroldis Chapman has been perfect all season, but a leadoff walk and his own error put runners on first and second with no outs in the ninth inning. The White Sox had a great chance to score and break the 1-1 tie.

However, what came next was a play for the ages. Andrew Vaughn grounded sharply to third. Yankees’ third baseman Gio Urshela touched the base and threw a rocket to second baseman Rougned Odor, who stepped on the keystone and threw another bullet to first baseman Luke Voit to beat Vaughn and complete an outstading, game-saving triple play. The Bombers came out on top an inning later.

The Yankees turned their first triple play since 2014

“That’s just one of those plays that you don’t see every day,” Chapman said through an interpreter to MLB.com. He earned the win.

The Yankees’ walk-off hero, Gleyber Torres, had a first-row seat to watch the play, the first of its kind by the Yankees, since 2014, develop. “The second I saw the ground ball to Gio, I knew something special was coming. That triple play was amazing. It’s the first time in my career to see one and be part of one. I think it’s the most exciting moment.”

Yankees’ skipper Aaron Boone also enjoyed the play. “I’m right in line with Gio there, so how he hit it, right away it popped in my head,” he said. “With Gio being as instinctive as he is, he did the right thing — quickly stepped on the bag, threw a strike to Rougie, who really turned it over well to finish off a special play and get us out of trouble there. That’s an energy giver.”