Mets on wrong end of triple play as umpire blows call
New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza (64) speaks during his manager's press conference before a game against the Miami Marlins at Citi Field in Flushing, NY, on Sunday, Jul 2, 2023. Credit: Brad Penner
WASHINGTON — The Nationals pulled off a triple play against the Mets at Nationals Park on Friday night.
Except it shouldn’t have been.
The controversial play happened in the fourth inning with the Mets trailing 2-0 and Brandon Nimmo on second and Mark Vientos at first.
Jesse Winker lined a ball to first baseman Nathaniel Lowe, who appeared to trap it. But first base umpire Alfonso Marquez signaled out, ruling that Lowe had caught the ball on the fly.
Lowe threw to second to double off Nimmo, who was on his way to third base. Shortstop Abrams caught the ball while on the bag for the second out. Abrams tagged Vientos, who was standing on second, for the third out. The play was scored 3-6-6.
Carlos Mendoza argued extensively with first base umpire Alfonso Márquez after an apparent ground ball hit by Jesse Winker was ruled a lineout and resulted in a triple play. pic.twitter.com/7EH8tgw01s
— SNY (@SNYtv) April 25, 2025
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza was incensed and argued that the ball had been trapped. Replays backed him up.
But a ball that is either caught or trapped on the infield is not reviewable under MLB’s replay rules. Only a ball hit to the outfield.
So the call stood. And the inning was over.
The Mets have now hit into 11 triple plays in their franchise history.
Anthony Rieber covers baseball, as well as the NFL, NBA and NHL. He has worked at Newsday since Aug. 31, 1998, and has been in his current position since July 5, 2004.
