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Phillies turn triple play, benefit from error to beat Padres

Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Maikel Franco, left, pumps his fist after a Phillies triple play against the San Diego Padres in the seventh inning of a baseball game Sunday, Aug. 7, 2016, in San Diego. Umpire Mike Everett, center, and Padres' Derek Norris, right, look on. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi) Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Maikel Franco, left, pumps his fist after a Phillies triple play against the San Diego Padres in the seventh inning of a baseball game Sunday, Aug. 7, 2016, in San Diego. Umpire Mike Everett, center, and Padres' Derek Norris, right, look on. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)

By Associated Press August 7, 2016 4 min read

SAN DIEGO (AP) – Philadelphia Phillies manager Pete Mackanin saw the hard-hit grounder to Maikel Franco and contemplated a double play.

Franco thought otherwise, aiming for a triple play.

Good thing Franco followed his instincts because his decision helped the Phillies to a 6-5 victory over the San Diego Padres on Sunday.

Pinch-hitter Tommy Joseph’s had a tie-breaking RBI single in the seventh inning but it was in the bottom of the inning that the Phillies made history. The triple play was the first at Petco Park.

“I thought Mikey was going to go from third to first and I’m glad he didn’t,” Mackanin said. “Big play to that game was the triple play – how about that? The ball took him right toward third which allowed him to be able to do it.”