One man, one play, three outs

Phillies second baseman Mickey Morandini pulls off the National League’s first unassisted triple play in 65 years and just the ninth in major league history 32 years ago today in Philadelphia’s 3-2 loss in 13 innings at Pittsburgh.

Morandini accomplishes the feat behind pitcher Curt Schilling in the bottom of the sixth inning before a Sunday afternoon crowd of 21,652.

With runners Barry Bonds and Andy Van Slyke moving on the pitch from first and second, Morandini dives his right to catch Jeff King’s line drive up the middle, steps on second base to easily double up Van Slyke and then tags out Bonds as he approaches second from first.

The last National League player before Morandini to turn an unassisted triple play is Johnny Cooney of the Chicago Cubs on May 30, 1927.

Since Morandini’s feat – the first ever by a Phillie – the game has seen six unassisted triple plays.

The most recent occurs on Aug. 23, 2009 with Phillies second baseman Eric Bruntlett, who snares a line drive by the Mets’ Jeff Francoeur to start the play that ends a 9-7 victory over New York at Citi Field.