Yankees make history with triple play vs. Blue Jays

June 18 (UPI) -- The New York Yankees completed their second triple play of the season in a win over the Toronto Blue Jays. The triple play was the first in MLB history completed in the order of position numbers 1-3-6-2-5-6.

Blue Jays designated hitter Vladimir Guerrero Jr., an early American League MVP candidate, hit into the play in the first inning Thursday at Sahlen Field in Buffalo, N.Y.

"Everyone got involved and just played good catch to execute," Yankees manager Aaron Boone told reporters. "It was huge.

"Who knows where that inning goes if Vladimir gets on [base]?"

Yankees pitcher Michael King started the game with a walk to Marcus Semien. He allowed a single to Bo Bichette in his second exchange, which prompted Guerrero to step into the box.

Guerrero took three consecutive pitches for balls to start the exchange. He then took a called strike and missed a sinker for his second strike. Guerrero fouled off two more pitches to keep the count full. King tossed in another sinker for the final pitch of the first-inning face-off.

Guerrero took another big cut and smacked the pitch into the ground just a few feet in front of home plate. King ran to the ball and threw to first base for the first out of the inning. Yankees first baseman D.J. LeMahieu then threw to shortstop Gleyber Torres, who ran forward and tossed the ball to Gary Sanchez.

The Yankees catcher ran up the third base line and caught Semien in a pickle. Sanchez threw the ball over Semien to Gio Urshela at third base. Urshela then tagged Semien out and made a quick turnaround throw back to Torres at third base. Torres swiped and tagged Bichette out for the third out of the inning.

The Yankees' two triple plays in 2021 are a single-season franchise record. The Yankees' first triple play came in a 2-1 win over the Chicago White Sox on May 21 at Yankee Stadium.

Urshella went on to spark the Yankees at the plate. He went 3 for 5 with a home run, two RBIs and three runs scored in the 8-4 victory. Yankees designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton chipped in a two-run home run in the seventh inning.

Yankees infielder Chris Gittens drove in another three runs in the victory.

King allowed five hits and three runs in 4 1/3 innings, but was not on the record for a decision. Guerrero, who leads MLB with 22 homers, 56 RBIs and a .444 on-base percentage, went 1 for 4 in the loss.

The Yankees (36-22) host the Oakland Athletics at 7:05 p.m. EDT Friday at Yankee Stadium.