Devers adds triple play to his list of accomplishments

As if Rafael Devers hadn’t already done enough in his brief major league career, on Tuesday night, he helped start the Red Sox’ first triple play in six seasons.

It’s already been quite a week for Devers. On Sunday night, he turned on a 103 mph fastball from Aroldis Chapman and hit a game-tying homer in the ninth at Yankee Stadium. On Monday night, he became the third Red Sox player in history to have a multi-homer game before his 21st birthday.

And then, Tuesday night, he tried a new trick.

The St. Louis Cardinals had baserunners at first and second in the fourth inning against Red Sox starter Rick Porcello.

Yadier Molina, the slow-footed Cards catcher, hit a sharp ground ball to Devers at third.

“The first thing then went through my mind,’’ recounted Devers through an interpreter, “was just to touch third base and throw as hard as I possibly could to second base to hopefully get a double play, or maybe a triple play.’’

The fact that Molina was the hitter at the plate gave Devers the idea that three outs were possible.

“That’s why I settled in pretty quickly at third, ‘’’ Devers said, “to get that out at third and throw it as quickly as possible to (second baseman Eduardo) Nunez.’’

Manager John Farrell lauded “the presence of mind of Raffy (and) knowing the speed of the runner. You could understand if maybe a less-experienced guy stepped on the bag (at third) and thrown across the diamond to first (to focus on getting two outs). But to go into Nuney at second, with the potential to tiurn it…The dugout was calling for it as it was off the bat, and the type of ground ball it was.’’

This wasn’t a career first for Devers, however. He started one last season at Single A Salem.

It was the first Red Sox triple play since Aug. 16, 2011 against Tampa Bay and the 31st in club history.