[ Immaculate Innings | Baseball Almanac

IMMACULATE INNINGS

Pitchers With EXACTLY 9 Pitches — ALL 9 ARE STRIKES — in an Inning | Baseball Almanac

After a really great game, it might be said of a pitcher that he was throwing "nothing but strikes." Every once in awhile, at least for one inning, this is completely correct. Some pitchers have the idea that a perfect inning consists of three pitches.

Three fly balls, three groundouts, whatever. Just get it over with and let the defense win it for you. But these pitchers realize the beauty of a truly perfect inning. A nine strike inning. You can imagine how it goes...

The first batter comes up, just wanting to get on base. Strike one-he shakes it off, lucky pitch. Strike two-he swings for it, just over anxious, he'll get the next one. Strike three-he returns to the bench, mumbling something about how the pitch was actually inside. Next guy up. He falls prey to the breaking ball, gets him every time. Two outs. Last one comes to the plate. He has a hungry look in his eye, he'll at least battle for a walk. He is mistaken.

No matter how it happens, when a pitcher's on, he's on. So here's to Sandy Koufax and Nolan Ryan. To Lefty Grove and Randy Johnson. To the men who redefined just what it means to have an immaculate inning. Research by Baseball Almanac.

Baseball Almanac Top Quote

"(Nolan) Ryan is the only guy who puts fear in me. Not because he can get you out, but because he can kill you." - Jackson, Reggie. Baseball Digest: Nolan Ryan: The Pitcher Batters Hate to Face. December 1974. Page 41.

Immaculate Innings | 9 Pitches — 9 Strikes — 3 outs

American League Immaculate Innings

American League Immaculate Innings In Chronological Order

1. 2. Rube Waddell (1) Athletics 07-01-1902 Billy Gilbert 3rd
Harry Howell
Jim Cronin
2. 5. Sloppy Thurston (1) White Sox 08-22-1923 Beauty McGowan 12th
Chick Galloway
Sammy Hale
3. 7. Lefty Grove (1) Athletics 09-27-1928 Moe Berg 7th
Tommy Thomas
Johnny Mostil
4. 8. Billy Hoeft (1) Tigers 09-07-1953 Jim Rivera 7th
Mike Fornieles
Chico Carrasquel
5. 10. Jim Bunning (1) Tigers 08-02-1959 Sammy White 9th
Jim Mahoney
Ike Delock
6. 16. Al Downing (1) Yankees 08-11-1967 Tony Horton 2nd
Don Demeter
Duke Sims
7. 22. Nolan Ryan (2 [1 in NL]) Angels 07-09-1972 Carlton Fisk 2nd
Bob Burda
Juan Beniquez
8. 27. Ron Guidry (1) Yankees 08-07-1984 Carlton Fisk 9th
Tom Paciorek
Greg Luzinski
9. 30. Jeff Montgomery (1) Royals 04-29-1990 Pete Incaviglia 8th
Geno Petralli
Thad Bosley
10. 36. Stan Belinda (1) Royals 08-06-1994 Eric Anthony 9th
Chris Howard
Luis Sojo
11. 39. Doug Jones (1) Brewers 09-23-1997 Johnny Damon 9th
Scott Cooper
Rod Myers
12. 40. Jimmy Key (1) Orioles 04-14-1998 Robin Ventura 2nd
Magglio Ordonez
Ray Durham
13. 41. Mike Mussina (1) Orioles 05-09-1998 Fred McGriff 9th
Paul Sorrento
Rich Butler
14. 46. B.J. Ryan (1) Orioles 09-05-1999 Manny Ramirez 6th
Jim Thome
Richie Sexson
15. 50. Pedro Martinez (1) Red Sox 05-18-2002 Ichiro Suzuki 1st
Mark McLemore
Ruben Sierra
16. 57. Rich Harden (1) Athletics 06-08-2008 Maicer Izturis 1st
Howie Kendrick
Garret Anderson
17. 58. Felix Hernandez (1) Mariners 06-17-2008 Jeremy Hermida 4th
Jorge Cantu
Mike Jacobs
18. 59. A.J. Burnett (1) Yankees 06-20-2009 Josh Johnson 3rd
Chris Coghlan
Emilio Bonifacio
19. 61. Rafael Soriano (1) Rays 08-23-2010 Erick Aybar 9th
Mike Napoli
Peter Bourjos
20. 64. Clay Buchholz (1) Red Sox 08-16-2012 Adam Jones 6th
Matt Wieters
Chris Davis
21. 65. Ivan Nova (1) Yankees 05-29-2013 Ike Davis 8th
Mike Baxter
Ruben Tejada
22. 67. Steve Delabar (1) Blue Jays 07-30-2013 Adam Rosales 8th
Coco Crisp
Chris Young
23. 68. Brad Boxberger (1) Rays 05-08-2014 Steve Pearce 6th
Jonathan Schoop
Caleb Joseph
24. 70. Justin Masterson (1) Indians 06-02-2014 Jonny Gomes 4th
Grady Sizemore
Stephen Drew
25. 71. Garrett Richards (1) Angels 06-04-2014 Jon Singleton 2nd
Matt Dominguez
Chris Carter
26. 74. Brandon McCarthy (1) Yankees 09-17-2014 Wil Myers 7th
Nick Franklin
Matt Joyce
27. 79. Craig Kimbrel (1) Red Sox 05-11-2017 Hernan Perez 9th
Travis Shaw
Domingo Santana
28. 82. Carlos Carrasco (1) Indians 07-07-2017 Nicholas Castellanos 5th
Mikie Mahtook
Jose Iglesias
29. 83. Dellin Betances (1) Yankees 08-02-2017 Jim Adduci 8th
Justin Upton
Miguel Cabrera
30. 84. Jose Alvarado (1) Rays 08-04-2017 Travis Shaw 9th
Jesus Aguilar
Hernan Perez
31. 85. Rick Porcello (1) Red Sox 08-09-2017 Trevor Plouffe 5th
Wilson Ramos
Mallex Smith
32. 86. Kevin Gausman (1) Orioles 04-23-2018 Yonder Alonso 7th
Yan Gomes
Bradley Zimmer
33. 91. Thomas Pannone (1) Blue Jays 04-14-2019 Avisail Garcia 5th
Brandon Lowe
Daniel Robertson
34. 92. Chris Sale (1) Red Sox 05-08-2019 Hanser Alberto 7th
Dwight Smith Jr.
Steve Wilkerson
35. 93. Chris Sale (2) Red Sox 06-05-2019 Kelvin Gutierrez 8th
Nicky Lopez
Martin Maldonado
36. 97. Will Harris (1) Astros 09-27-2019 Kaleb Cowart 8th
Matt Thaiss
Michael Hermosillo
37. 98. Zach Plesac (1) Indians 09-18-2020 Jorge Bonifacio 2nd
Niko Goodrum
Austin Romine
38. 100. Michael King (1) Yankees 06-04-2021 Hunter Renfroe 2nd
Marwin Gonzalez
Christian Vázquez
39. 101. Chad Green (1) Yankees 07-04-2021 Michael Conforto 7th
Jeff McNeil
Jonathan Villar
40. 102. Chris Sale (3) Red Sox 08-26-2021 Nick Gordon 3rd
Andrelton Simmons
Rob Refsnyder
41. 104. Nestor Cortes (1) Yankees 04-17-2022 Robinson Chirinos 4th
Chris Owings
Kelvin Gutiérrez
42. 105. Luis Garcia (1) Astros 06-15-2022 Nathaniel Lowe 2nd
Ezequiel Duran
Brad Miller
43. 106. Phil Maton (1) Astros 06-15-2022 Nathaniel Lowe 7th
Ezequiel Duran
Brad Miller
44. 107. Reid Detmers (1) Angels 07-31-2022 Ezequiel Duran 2nd
Kole Calhoun
Charlie Culberson
45. 110. Enyel De Los Santos (1) Guardians 09-27-2022 Christian Bethancourt 7th
Jose Siri
Taylor Walls

Immaculate Innings | 9 Pitches - 9 Strikes - 3 Outs

National League Immaculate Innings

National League Immaculate Innings In Chronological Order

1. 1. John Clarkson (1) Beaneaters 06-04-1889 Jim Fogarty 3rd
Sam Thompson
Sid Farrar
2. 3. Pat Ragan (1) Dodgers 10-05-1914 Possum Whitted 8th
Butch Schmidt
Red Smith
3. 4. Joe Oeschger (1) Braves 09-08-1921 Bevo LeBourveau 4th
Cy Williams
Ed Konetchy
4. 6. Dazzy Vance (1) Dodgers 09-14-1924 Sam Bohne 3rd
Bubbles Hargrave
Eppa Rixey
5. 9. Robin Roberts (1) Phillies 04-17-1956 Carl Furillo 6th
Charlie Neal
Sandy Amoros
6. 11. Sandy Koufax (1) Dodgers 06-30-1962 Richie Ashburn 1st
Rod Kanehl
Felix Mantilla
7. 12. Sandy Koufax (2) Dodgers 04-19-1963 Bob Aspromonte 5th
Jim Campbell
Turk Farrell
8. 13. Tony Cloninger (1) Braves 06-15-1963 Tony Gonzalez 8th
Clay Dalrymple
Ruben Amaro
9. 14. Sandy Koufax (3) Dodgers 04-18-1964 Leo Cardenas 3rd
Johnny Edwards
Jim Maloney
10. 15. Bob Bruce (1) Colt .45s 04-19-1964 Bill White 8th
Charlie James
Ken Boyer
11. 17. Nolan Ryan (1) Mets 04-19-1968 Claude Osteen 3rd
Wes Parker
Zoilo Versalles
12. 18. Bob Gibson (1) Cardinals 05-12-1969 Len Gabrielson 7th
Paul Popovich
John Miller
13. 19. Bill Wilson (1) Phillies 07-06-1971 Darrell Evans 8th
Hal King
Earl Williams
14. 20. John Strohmayer (1) Expos 07-10-1971 Mike Ryan 5th
Woodie Fryman
Denny Doyle
15. 21. Milt Pappas (1) Cubs 09-24-1971 Greg Luzinski 4th
Don Money
Mike Anderson
16. 23. Bruce Sutter (1) Cubs 09-08-1977 Ellis Valentine 9th
Gary Carter
Larry Parrish
17. 24. Pedro Borbon (1) Reds 06-23-1979 Mike Sadek 9th
Gary Lavelle
Billy North
18. 25. Lynn McGlothen (1) Cubs 08-25-1979 Larry Herndon 3rd
Joe Strain
Jack Clark
19. 26. Joey McLaughlin (1) Braves 09-11-1979 Larry Herndon 7th
Greg Johnston
Johnnie LeMaster
20. 28. Jeff Robinson (1) Pirates 09-07-1987 Leon Durham 8th
Andre Dawson
Rafael Palmeiro
21. 29. Rob Dibble (1) Reds 06-04-1989 Carmelo Martinez 8th
Mark Parent
Garry Templeton
22. 31. Andy Ashby (1) Phillies 06-15-1991 Hal Morris 4th
Todd Benzinger
Jeff Reed
23. 32. David Cone (1) Mets 08-30-1991 Herm Winningham 5th
Randy Myers
Mariano Duncan
24. 33. Pete Harnisch (1) Astros 09-06-1991 Wes Chamberlain 7th
Dickie Thon
Jose DeJesus
25. 34. Trevor Wilson (1) Giants 06-07-1992 Jeff Bagwell 9th
Eric Anthony
Rafael Ramirez
26. 35. Mel Rojas (1) Expos 05-11-1994 David Segui 9th
Todd Hundley
Jeff McKnight
27. 36. Todd Worrell (1) Dodgers 08-13-1995 Mark Johnson 9th
Angelo Encarnacion
Steve Pegues
28. 38. Mike Magnante (1) Astros 08-22-1997 Ellis Burks 9th
Harvey Pulliam
Jeff Reed
29. 42. Orel Hershiser (1) Giants 06-16-1998 Ellis Burks 4th
Vinny Castilla
Todd Helton
30. 43. Randy Johnson (1) Astros 09-02-1998 Javy Lopez 6th
Andruw Jones
Greg Colbrunn
31. 44. Jesus Sanchez (1) Marlins 09-13-1998 Tony Graffanino 3rd
Greg Maddux
Walt Weiss
32. 45. Shane Reynolds (1) Astros 07-15-1999 Juan Encarnacion 1st
Brad Ausmus
Bobby Higginson
33. 47. Randy Johnson (2) Diamondbacks 08-23-2001 Tony McKnight 6th
Gary Matthews
Jack Wilson
34. 48. Jason Isringhausen (1) Cardinals 04-13-2002 Daryle Ward 9th
Jose Vizcaino
Julio Lugo
35. 49. Byung-Hyun Kim (1) Diamondbacks 05-11-2002 Scott Rolen 8th
Mike Lieberthal
Pat Burrell
36. 51. Brian Lawrence (1) Padres 06-12-2002 Brook Fordyce 3rd
Jerry Hairston
Melvin Mora
37. 52. Brandon Backe (1) Astros 04-15-2004 Bill Hall 8th
Scott Podsednik
Craig Counsell
38. 53. Ben Sheets (1) Brewers 06-13-2004 Peter Munro 3rd
Craig Biggio
Jose Vizcaino
39. 54. LaTroy Hawkins (1) Cubs 09-11-2004 Jeff Conine 9th
Juan Encarnacion
Alex Gonzalez
40. 55. Rick Helling (1) Brewers 06-20-2006 Curtis Granderson 1st
Placido Polanco
Ivan Rodriguez
41. 56. Buddy Carlyle (1) Braves 07-06-2007 Khalil Greene 4th
Russell Branyan
Jose Cruz, Jr.
42. 60. Ross Ohlendorf (1) Pirates 09-05-2009 Khalil Greene 7th
Julio Lugo
Jason LaRue
43. 62. Jordan Zimmermann (1) Nationals 05-06-2011 Giancarlo Stanton 2nd
Greg Dobbs
John Buck
44. 63. Juan Perez (1) Phillies 07-08-2011 Jason Heyward 10th
Nate McLouth
Wilkin Ramirez
45. 65. Wade Miley (1) Diamondbacks 10-01-2012 Jonathan Herrera 3rd
Drew Pomeranz
Josh Rutledge
46. 69. Cole Hamels (1) Phillies 05-17-2014 Zack Cozart 3rd
Brandon Phillips
Todd Frazier
47. 72. Rex Brothers (1) Rockies 06-14-2014 Michael Morse 8th
Brandon Crawford
Gregor Blanco
48. 73. Carlos Contreras (1) Reds 07-11-2014 Jordy Mercer 7th
Jeff Locke
Gregory Polanco
49. 75. Mike Fiers (1) Brewers 05-07-2015 Enrique Hernandez 4th
Carlos Frias
Joc Pederson
50. 76. Santiago Casilla (1) Giants 05-17-2015 Marlon Byrd 9th
Brandon Phillips
Jay Bruce
51. 77. Juan Nicasio (1) Pirates 07-04-2016 Stephen Piscotty 8th
Jhonny Peralta
Yadier Molina
52. 78. Drew Storen (1) Reds 04-18-2017 Jonathan Schoop 9th
J.J. Hardy
Hyun-soo Kim
53. 80. Max Scherzer (1) Nationals 05-14-2017 Cesar Hernandez 5th
Odubel Herrera
Aaron Altherr
54. 81. Kenley Jansen (1) Dodgers 05-18-2017 Derek Dietrich 9th
J.T. Riddle
Ichiro Suzuki
55. 86. Max Scherzer (2) Nationals 06-05-2018 Johnny Field 6th
Christian Arroyo
Daniel Robertson
56. 88. German Marquez (1) Rockies 08-08-2018 Corey Dickerson 4th
Starling Marte
Gregory Polanco
57. 89. Zac Rosscup (1) Dodgers 08-19-2018 Kyle Seager 9th
Ryon Healy
Cameron Maybin
58. 90. Josh Hader (1) Brewers 03-30-2019 Tyler O’Neill 9th
Dexter Fowler
Yairo Munoz
59. 94. Stephen Strasburg (1) Nationals 07-03-2019 Garrett Cooper 4th
Neil Walker
Starlin Castro
60. 95. Kevin Gausman (1) Reds 08-18-2019 Yairo Munoz 9th
Dexter Fowler
Tommy Edman
61. 96. Chris Martin (1) Braves 09-11-2019 Cesar Hernandez 7th
Jay Bruce
Logan Morrison
62. 99. Kyle Finnegan (1) Nationals 05-05-2021 Austin Riley 6th
Dansby Swanson
William Contreras
63. 103. Max Scherzer (3) Dodgers 09-12-2021 Fernando Tatís Jr. 6th
Eric Hosmer
Tommy Pham
64. 108. Ryan Helsley (1) Cardinals 09-16-2022 Kyle Farmer 9th
Jake Fraley
Donovan Solano
65. 109. Hayden Wesneski (1) Cubs 09-22-2022 Jack Suwinski 5th
Zack Collins
Jason Delay
66. 111. Colin Holderman (1) Pirates 05-04-2023 Taylor Walls 7th
Luke Raley
Christian Bethancourt
67. 112. Johan Oviedo (1) Pirates 05-24-2023 Jonah Heim 4th
Robbie Grossman
Josh Smith
Immaculate Innings | Research by Baseball Almanac | Bold = Hall of Famer
baseball almanac flat baseball

baseball almanac fast facts

When Nolan Ryan retired the side on nine pitches / nine strikes with the California Angels he became the first pitcher to accomplish this unique feat once during both the American (1972) & National League (1968). Did you notice who tied The Ryan Express in 2018 / 2019?

Did you know that the first four pitchers in Major League history to accomplish this feat twice, happen to be members of the National Baseball Hall of Fame? The fifth, Max Scherzer, is well on his way to Cooperstown as well...

Did you know that when Danny Jackson threw an immaculate inning (Terry Pendleton, Tom Nieto, Brian Harper) on October 24, 1985, during the seventh frame, it was during Game 5 of the 1985 World Series — the first, and through 2024 , the only postseason immaculate inning in Major League history?

Over one-hundred forty-five years of Major League Baseball history, millions of pitches thrown by thousands of different pitchers and only one-hundred-twelve verified instances (during regular season games) by one-hundred-four different pitchers (80 were right-handed and 24 were left-handed) — this is truly an amazing feat!

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