On April 9, 1959, the Baltimore Orioles become the first team in major league history to turn a triple play on Opening Day. Roy Sievers lead off the bottom of the 5th against Hoyt Wilhelm and drew a walk, Bob Allision the next batter collected a bunt single, with runners at first and second, Ed Fitz Gerald stepped in against Wilhem. The Senators were already up 5-0, and the game was getting close to out of hand. Ed Fitz Gerald hit a line drive to first, which was snared by first baseman Bob Boyd. Boyd fired to shortstop Chico Carrasquel, who stepped on second to double up Roy Sievers. His return throw to Boyd caught Bob Allison off base, completing the triple play.
That play, however, did not spur the Orioles on to a comeback. Washington got two runs against Wilhelm, then touched up Ernie Johnson for two more in the bottom of the eighth. Baltimore did avoid a shutout when Gus Triandos hit a two-run homer with two outs in the top of the ninth. The Senators took the 9-2 victory.
The O’s turn the triple killing at Griffith Stadium in front of Vice-President Richard Nixon, who throws out the ceremonial first pitch as a substitute for President Dwight Eisenhower.
