The San Diego Padres turned their fourth of the franchise’s seven triple plays, 36 years ago today.
On April 11, 1978, the Braves were trying to get on the board during a scoreless game at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium when Dale Murphy and Rod Gilbreath hit back-to-back singles in the bottom of the second inning. Up came Braves’ starting pitcher Phil Niekro, who hit a grounder to third-baseman Bill Almon. Almon steps on third to force out Gilbreath, throws to second-baseman Derrel Thomas to retire Murphy and then Thomas throws to first-baseman Gene Richards to get Niekro.
The Padres would go on to win 3-1.
