Chicago Cubs reliever Andrew Kittredge joined a special club Wednesday as he became one of a select group to throw an “immaculate inning.”
Kittredge entered the game in the top of the seventh inning, and promptly mowed down the Reds in order, striking out Austin Hays, Gavin Lux and Tyler Stephenson swinging to achieve an “immaculate inning.”
According to Major League Baseball, an “immaculate inning” is defined as striking out three consecutive batters with nine consecutive strikes, and it’s one of the rarer feats in the game.
According to Marquee Sports Network, Kittredge’s immaculate inning was the 120th in baseball history, and the third thrown this season, joining Miami’s Cal Quantrill and Baltimore’s Brandon Young in that category.
Notably, it was the sixth thrown in Cubs’ history and just the second in the last 20 seasons, with Hayden Wesneski the last Cubs pitcher to achieve the feat in Sept. 2022.
Milt Pappas and Bruce Sutter are among the Cubs pitchers to achieve the famed feat.
What’s especially positive for Kittredge is that he was shelled for four earned runs, including a home run, in Tuesday’s loss to the Reds. He came in relief for Shota Imanaga and saw the game immediately get away from him, with his ERA skyrocketing by a full run as he took the loss in the contest.
The Cubs are aiming not just to keep pace in the National League Central race, but they’re also looking to fend off the Reds and other teams in the National League wild card race. Entering play Wednesday the Cubs held a 2.5-game lead over the San Diego Padres, and were 5.5 games ahead of the Reds, who are currently the top team not in the playoff picture.