One Month - Three Triple Plays

If a pitcher's best friend is the double play, what do pitchers think of the triple play?

The Angels turned their third triple play of Spring Training Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. With runners on 1st and 2nd, Howie Kendrick snared a line drive, tagged second base and threw to Casey Kotchman at first to complete the feat.

Just 8 days earlier the Angels turned a triple play against the Padres. And 17 days earlier the Angels turned one against the Rockies.

One month. Three triple plays.

Against the Padres, runners were on the corners and the "little league steal" was on. Ervin Santana struck out the batter and Mike Napoli threw down to second to get Todd Walker. On the throw to second, Brian Giles left for home plate and was eventually tagged out in a rundown.

The play turned against the Rockies started with runners on 1st and 2nd and Steve Finley at the plate. Finley hit a soft liner to first base that was caught by Kotchman. The runners, thinking that the ball had hit the ground, continued to run as Kotchman tossed the ball to Dustin Moseley who was covering first. Moseley then threw the ball to Erick Aybar who tagged 2nd base for the triple play.

In the Angels illustrious? 46 year history they have turned a total of 6 triple plays:
7/5/1997 - Anderson (cf) to DiSarcina (ss) to Erstad (1b)
9/8/1996 - Howell (3b) to Hudler (2b) to Snow (1b)
7/23/1977 - Mulliniks (ss) to Remy (2b) to Solaita (1b)
7/14/1977 - Ron Jackson (3b) to Remy (2b) to Solaita (1b)
6/27/1972 - Spencer (lf) to McMullen (3b) to Alomar (2b) to Cardenas (1b)
6/26/1970 - Ruiz (3b) to Alomar (2b) to Cowan (1b)