Brewers' Denson starts another triple play

The 3-6 triple play may have become habit-forming for David Denson.

For the second time in his pro career, the Brewers' No. 19 prospect played a pivotal role in a triple play, helping Rookie-level Helena collect three outs in one play in the second inning of Wednesday's 7-2 loss to Missoula.

Milwaukee's No. 17 prospect Marcos Diplan started the inning by walking Jason Morozowski and Marcus Wilson. Joey Armstrong then ripped a low line drive toward Denson at first base. Denson snagged the ball inches above the grass and quickly realized Wilson had broken for second. He ran to first to pick the outfielder off first.

Knowing Morozowski was at second, Denson quickly spun to check the keystone. In the process, he heard what sounded like 24 Helena Brewers shouting "Two! Two! Two!" and zipped the ball to shortstop Jake Gatewood.

Morozowski, apparently thinking Armstong's liner would hit the ground before Denson's glove, had advanced toward third. He realized his mistake too late, with Denson's throw narrowly beating him to second base.

"Everybody was excited," Denson said. "It was kind of slow. It was one of the slower triple plays I've been a part of. I caught it, ran to first, threw to second, and it all just seemed in slow motion. It was exciting, but after, everyone was like, 'Dang, that was a slow one.' But we got it done."

Denson is a triple-play veteran, adding that he played a similar role in a 3-6 effort while with the Arizona League Brewers in 2013.  

"That one unfolded the same way," he said. "It was my rookie year. I was over because it was a lefty, and he hit a line drive to first. I was right next to the base when I caught the ball, touched the base with one step, then threw to second."

The 20-year-old said he wasn't thinking about the possibility until he heard his teammates yelling to throw to second.

"Once I touched first, I knew the runner was on second," he said. "I turned to check, but everybody was yelling. I took my time a little bit, because I knew he was going to be around there, but I didn't expect him to be as far off as he was.

"I knew the first [runner] took off on contact. The second [runner], I thought he could've read the ball, but they both just took off. Once I touched first, as I was turning, it was, 'Two! Two! Two!' I jumped around real quick, saw how far off he was and launched the ball to second."

Gatewood finished 3-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a run scored. The shortstop is hitting .250 in 29 games with the Brewers. He's also lofted four homers with 12 doubles on the season.

Diplan (2-1) didn't allow a hit until the fifth, but gave up four earned runs on five hits that frame. He ended up taking walking three and striking out two over 4 1/3 innings.

Dallas Newton (1-2) picked up the win after allowing two runs on four hits in 5 2/3 frames.