How rare are triple plays? Well, this example from yesterday's Padres-Dodgers contest is L.A's first since 1998.
Check out the tape below, and then we'll explain:
Here's what happened:
1. With runners on first and second and no outs, Padres first baseman Jesus Guzman squares to bunt.
2. Guzman either does or does not make contact with the ball — it's hard to tell from the video — but regardless, the umpire rules the ball in play after it lands in the vicinity of home plate and rolls forward.
3. Dodgers catcher A.J. Ellis fields the ball and throws it to third, where L.A. makes the first out. The Dodgers then work the ball to second and then first, where they get force-outs at each base.
4. The Padres complain, and the Dodgers rejoice.
Voila! It's baseball's first 2-5-6-3 triple play in history.