An immaculate inning is one of the rarest and most awe-inspiring accomplishments in Major League Baseball. It occurs when a pitcher strikes out all three batters in an inning using the minimum nine pitches—three strikes per batter, with no fouls, balls, or contact in play. This pitching perfection has happened fewer than 120 times in over a century of MLB history, highlighting just how difficult it is to achieve.
A Brief History of the Immaculate Inning
The first known immaculate inning was recorded by John Clarkson of the Boston Beaneaters in 1889, but the feat wasn’t formally recognized until decades later. For much of baseball history, it remained a statistical rarity—some pitchers went their entire careers without witnessing or achieving one.
However, in recent years, the pace of immaculate innings has increased. From 2000 to 2024 alone, more than 50 have been recorded, nearly half of all time. Factors like increased strikeout rates, more specialized pitching roles, and analytical emphasis on velocity and spin may all contribute to the surge.
Total Number of Immaculate Innings
As of July 2025, there have been 114 recorded immaculate innings in MLB history. The number continues to climb as pitchers become more dominant, especially in short outings.
Notable Immaculate Inning Achievements
- Sandy Koufax is the only pitcher in MLB history to throw three immaculate innings during his Hall of Fame career.
- Chris Sale and Max Scherzer have both recorded multiple immaculate innings in the modern era.
- On June 15, 2022, the Houston Astros became the first team in MLB history to throw two immaculate innings in one game, with both Luis Garcia and Phil Maton achieving the feat—against the same three Texas Rangers batters.
Why Is It So Rare?
Despite the increase in frequency, immaculate innings remain rare because:
- It requires perfect control and execution.
- Batters must not foul off a single pitch.
- There’s no room for error—one ball or a single contact spoils the perfection.
Conclusion
While baseball is filled with rare moments, the immaculate inning stands out as a display of sheer pitching dominance. With just 114 occurrences in MLB history, it remains a treasured and celebrated event every time it happens. As pitching continues to evolve, fans can look forward to seeing whether this once-elusive milestone becomes more common—or remains a sacred mark of mastery on the mound.
