Immaculate Inning
An inning where a pitcher strikes out all three batters on exactly nine pitches, three strikeouts on three pitches each, the rarest form of pitching perfection.
Example Usage
“He threw an immaculate inning in the seventh, nine pitches, nine strikes, three Ks.”
Immaculate Inning
An immaculate inning occurs when a pitcher strikes out three consecutive batters using only nine pitches, the absolute minimum possible. It's one of baseball's rarest and most impressive pitching achievements.
The Requirements
What It Takes
- Exactly 9 pitches in the inning
- All 9 pitches must be strikes
- 3 strikeouts (each on 3 pitches)
- No balls, no fouls past strike two, no contact
The Math
- 3 batters × 3 strikes = 9 pitches
- 0 margin for error
- Every pitch must be a strike
- Perfect execution required
Rarity in Baseball
Historical Context
- Fewer than 110 in MLB history
- Some pitchers have multiple
- More common in modern era (more strikeouts overall)
- Still incredibly rare
Why So Rare
- Batters usually make contact or take balls
- Foul balls extend at-bats
- Three consecutive dominant at-bats needed
- Requires both stuff and command
Famous Immaculate Innings
Notable Performances
- Sandy Koufax had one in 1962
- Nolan Ryan achieved it in 1968
- Max Scherzer has done it multiple times
- LaMonte Wade Jr. faced one in 2021
Multiple Achievers
Some pitchers have thrown more than one:
- Lefty Grove
- Sandy Koufax
- Nolan Ryan
- Max Scherzer
- Chris Sale
The Experience
For the Pitcher
- Ultimate efficiency
- Complete dominance
- Often doesn't realize until after
- Teammates celebrate immediately
For the Batter
- Humbling experience
- No chance to compete
- Three overpowering at-bats
- Part of baseball history
Related Terms
Perfect Game
A game in which a pitcher retires every batter faced, 27 up, 27 down, with no hits, walks, errors, or any baserunners.
No-Hitter
A game in which a pitcher (or group of pitchers) allows no hits over the entire game, one of baseball's most prestigious achievements.
Punch Out
Slang for a strikeout, often used when a pitcher strikes out a batter emphatically, especially on a called third strike.
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