Triple (Mis)Play Helps Yankees Beat Red Sox, End Skid at Eight

Compared to a triple error, a triple play is a common occurrence in baseball.

A triple error on a seemingly innocuous play Saturday at New York set back the Boston Red Sox’s pennant hopes.

Pitcher Joe Hesketh, first baseman Mo Vaughn and left fielder Mike Greenwell were the principals in a play that gave the Yankees their first run in a 3-1 victory that ended an eight-game losing streak.

In a scoreless game, Hensley Meulens singled to open the second inning. Before Meulens knew what happened, he had scored the first run.

Hesketh (10-4) tried to pick Meulens off first, but threw into the dirt. Vaughn retrieved the ball but threw wildly toward second for the second error. The ball went into left field and Meulens kept running. Greenwell, trying to pick up the ball, fumbled it and Meulens scored before his throw reached the plate.

Manager Joe Morgan of the Red Sox watched his team fall 4 1/2 games behind the Toronto Blue Jays in the American League East.

“A good throw might have picked him off,” Morgan said. “A good throw to second might have flagged him. A good throw to the plate might have nailed him. That’s three chances and no out. That set the tempo for the game.”

Scott Sanderson (15-9) stopped the Red Sox on three hits until he faltered in the ninth and lost his shutout.