Eric Bruntlett, 2B

The Setup:

Philadelphia leads New York, 9-6, in the bottom of the ninth. Brad Lidge, the Phillies closer, comes on to pitch the ninth. Angel Pagan reaches on a three-base error by first baseman, Ryan Howard. Eric Bruntlett makes an error on a groundball hit by Luis Castillo which scores Pagan. Daniel Murphy is credited with a single on a groundball that Eric Bruntlett misplays, with Castillo stopping at second base. The tying runs are on base with Jeff Francoeur, the potential winning run, coming to bat.

The Play:

With a count of 2-2, the Mets start the runners. Eric Bruntlett is shading the batter up the middle moves towards second when the runners take off. Jeff Francoeur hits a line drive just to the right of second base. Bruntlett easily takes a couple of steps to catch the line drive an immediately steps on second base. Daniel Murphy, running from first base, stops and tries to back pedal away, but Bruntlett is able to tag him quickly to complete the game-ending unassisted triple play.

The Rest of the Story:

This is the second time in baseball history that an unassisted triple play has ended a game. First baseman, Johnny Neun, also ended a game with one in 1927.

There are a few pieces to this story that make it especially interesting. Eric Bruntlett had misplays on the two previous batters (an error and then mishandling a grounder that resulted in a hit). Bruntlett was a utility fielder who in 2009 appeared in games at all positions except pitcher and catcher, and this was one of only five games that he started at second base for the Phillies that year. Chase Utley was given the day off for this Sunday afternoon game. After Bruntlett’s two misplays in the ninth inning, the television cameras showed Utley sitting on the bench in the Philadelphia dugout as if to ask, why isn’t he playing? With the game on the line, Bruntlett redeemed himself.

On the offensive side, Bruntlett wasn’t having a particularly productive season. His batting average at the end of the game was .154. However, he had a good day at the plate this game going 3 for 5. It would have been an even better day, but in his final at bat in the ninth inning, he was robbed of an extra base hit by Jeff Francoeur with a diving catch in right-centerfield. However, Bruntlett got his revenge in the bottom half of the inning as it was Francoeur who lined into the triple play to end the game.

Bruntlett played in 512 games during his seven seasons in the major leagues. After his unassisted triple play, he would appear in the field in only four more games in his career.

“I didn’t know how to react. I didn’t know what to do.” – Eric Bruntlett

“What a bizarre ending. That’s definitely not the way you draw it up.” – Brad Lidge (pitcher who earned the save)

“To end the way it did was a little disheartening.” – Jeff Francour (batter who hit into the triple play)