Jake McCarthy recorded the first unassisted double play by an outfielder in the big leagues since 2015, according to ESPN Research, completing the feat for the Colorado Rockies against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday night.
McCarthy charged in on a sinking line drive off the bat of Bryan Reynolds, catching the ball on a full sprint for the second out of the first inning. The play began as a routine outfield catch but immediately presented an opportunity for a rare two-out sequence.
Pirates runner Oneil Cruz, who had started the play on second base, was near third when McCarthy made the catch. The 28-year-old outfielder continued jogging toward the infield and stepped on second base for the final out, converting the unassisted double play.
Per the report, it was the first unassisted double play by an outfielder since Jake Marisnick against the Angels in 2015, a distinction ESPN Research identified. The sequence ended what had been a two-out inning for Pittsburgh.
The Rockies won the game 10-4. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
