DENVER -- Rockies center fielder Brenton Doyle received his second Gold Glove Award and shortstop Ezequiel Tovar accepted his first on Saturday night. Then they were witnesses to, rather than participants in, the Rockies’ first triple play in 10 years.
Third baseman Ryan McMahon, second baseman Kyle Farmer and first baseman Michael Toglia pulled it off behind pitcher Germán Márquez in the second inning, when everything seemed going right for the Rockies -- before the 7-4 loss sent them to 1-7, tied with 2005 for the worst eight-game start in club history.
But the bad start can’t erase the fifth triple play in club history and the first in the Majors this season.
“That was a cool thing for people, for the fans who were maybe here for the first time, or people who don’t see a lot of baseball,” manager Bud Black said. “They saw a triple play.”
Here’s how it unfolded:
? Márquez opened the inning by walking Shea Langeliers. It was one of his career high-tying six walks in five-plus innings on a night that started at 41 degrees. As the game progressed, Márquez said, “I couldn’t feel the ball.” It was reminiscent of the April 3, 2018 home opener, when he walked six against the Braves in 27-degree first-pitch temps. But this walk turned out to lead to something special.
“It was amazing -- you don’t expect to have a triple play,” Márquez said. “I feel like I haven’t seen a triple play before.”
? Tyler Soderstrom reaching on an infield single, which stood through a replay review, further set the stage.
? Jacob Wilson smashed a one-hopper to McMahon, who backhanded and stepped on third base.
"Once I saw that I hit it pretty much right over third base, it was like, all right, this is gonna be bad,” Wilson said.
McMahon, who later homered for the first time this season, is a four-time Gold Glove finalist who has seen and made dazzling plays. But a triple play?
“I’ve never even attempted one before,” McMahon said.
? From there, crisp throws from McMahon to second baseman Kyle Farmer to first baseman Michael Toglia completed the rare feat.
The most recent triple play for the Rockies came on Sept. 1, 2015, when then-Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt hit one that shortstop José Reyes, second baseman DJ LeMahieu and first baseman Ben Paulsen turned into three outs.
McMahon feared the ball used for the three-for-one on Saturday was a gift to a fan from Toglia.
“I’m sure ‘Togs’ threw it into the stands,” McMahon said, smiling.
However, it is safely in the hands of the Rockies, certain to be displayed as a shining moment that didn’t result in lasting momentum. Sean Bouchard homered in the bottom of the second and the Rockies loaded the bases in the third, but managed one run when Hunter Goodman grounded into a double play.
“We’d like to think we could carry all that over,” Black said.