An impossible feat for Ohtani and all of Japan: the strange record that an umpire denied a Dodgers pitcher

SPORTIVO
Article arrow_drop_down

Immaculate innings are one of the rarest occurrences in Major League Baseball. To give you an idea, of the 11,690 pitchers who have worked at least one inning in the history of the American circuit, only 0.009% have achieved such a feat. That’s 107 pitchers with a perfect inning: nine pitches, nine strikes and three strikeouts

In recent years, there have always been cases of immaculate innings. In fact, to find a season without one of these episodes, we have to go back in time to 2005, two decades ago

Skenes goes viral over confusing look at Dunne

Since 2006, a chain of 20 consecutive campaigns has been linked with at least one perfect entry. The streak was already extended in 2025, as on May 18, Miami Marlins right-hander Cal Quantrill struck out Jonathan Aranda, Christopher Morel and Kameron Misner of the Tampa Bay Rays with nine strikes and three strikeouts.

However, in the last game of the series between the Dodgers and San Diego, umpire Marvin Hudson deprived us of the first immaculate inning by a Japanese pitcher in Major League history. The ace of the reigning champions, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, was one step away from completing the feat against Fernando Tatis Jr

In the third inning of the clash, Yamamoto dominated with three pitches to Bryce Johnson and then repeated the dose against Puerto Rican catcher Martin Maldonado. Six pitches, six strikes and two strikeouts. The perfect formula continued against Tatis, who swung at two breaking pitches and was on the brink of the abyss.

With two strikes, Yamamoto was about to complete the first immaculate inning by a Japanese pitcher in MLB, but umpire Hudson decided that we should keep waiting. A 96 mph fastball that went through the middle of the plate and at the top of the zone was overlooked by the umpire, who continued the game as if nothing had happened.

After that pitch, the Japanese pitcher continued with his work and managed to retire Tatis Jr. by way of the strikeout. As a curious fact, in that at-bat, of the five pitches made by Yamamoto, the only one that fell in the strike zone was called a ball by Marvin Hudson. Unbelievable!

A total of 60 Japanese pitchers have worked in the major leagues, including great stars such as Hideo Nomo, Yu Darvish, Hiroki Kuroda, Masahiro Tanaka, Koji Uehara, Kenta Maeda, Daisuke Matsuzaka and Shohei Ohtani, but none have been able to score an immaculate inning.

Now, with Ohtani still on the scene, plus the presence of Yamamoto, rookie Roki Sasaki, Kodai Senga, Yusei Kikuchi and Shota Imanaga, perhaps one of them will manage to break the curse, as long as no umpire gets in their way with a blunder

The history of immaculate innings

According to the specialized website Baseball Almanac, there have been 115 immaculate innings in Major League history with 107 pitchers as protagonists. According to these data, the first recorded was by John Clarkson in 1889, during a duel between the Boston Beaneaters and the Phillies.

Since then, there have been several cases of this type. One of the most important was Danny Jackson in Game 5 of the 1985 World Series between Kansas City and St. Louis. The Royals pitcher dominated with nine consecutive strikes and three strikeouts in order to Terry Pendleton, Tom Nieto and Brian Harper in a game he won with a complete nine-inning game

That was the first and only immaculate inning in the postseason, and it also represented the beginning of a spectacular comeback by Kansas, who were losing that Fall Classic 1-3. But they reacted in time and won three games in a row to win their first MLB title.

There are other outstanding cases. For example, Sandy Koufax, Max Scherzer and Chris Sale are the only ones with three immaculate innings in MLB history, while Nolan Ryan and Kevin Gausman did it twice, with the peculiarity that they achieved it in both the American League and the National League.

This news was originally published on this post .

About the author

About the author call_made

SPORTIVO

More posts

Bruno Henrique recebe multa e pode jogar pelo Flamengo na Libertadores

Bruno Henrique está liberado para enfrentar o Racing (crédito: Gilvan de Souza/Flamengo)Bruno Henrique recebeu apenas advertência e multa pelos gestos obscenos em direção à torcida do Estudiantes. Com a decisão da Unidade Disciplinar da Conmebol desta segunda-feira, 13 de outubro, o atacante do Flamengo poderá enfrentar o Racing, no Maracanã, pela partida de ida da semifinal da Libertadores. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADEApesar de o jogador, que é reserva com o técnico Filipe Luís, não estar suspenso, o Rubro-Negro vai recorrer contra a multa de 25 mil dólares (cerca de R$ 136 mil).Bruno Henrique se desculpou por gestos obscenosNa audiência que aconteceu na última sexta-feira (10), Bruno Henrique participou de maneira virtual e afirmou que teve uma “reação impensada” diante do clima hostil. Ele ainda alegou que não foi quem começou com as provocações e citou objetos arremessados em direção a ele e […]

trending_flat
Sorry, NFL: Chiefs Still Look Like Best Team in Professional Football

The Kansas City Chiefs are back to .500, improving to 3-3 after defeating the Detroit Lions on Sunday night. And, apparently, the win was enough for Colin Cowherd to declare that Patrick Mahomes, Andy Reid and the Chiefs have regained their throne as the NFL's top team."Everybody's worst nightmare is now official: The Kansas City Chiefs, once again, are the best team in professional football," Cowherd said on Monday's "The Herd." "First three weeks, Mahomes was wobbly, and they were averaging 20 points per game. In their last three games, they're averaging 32 points per game along with that defense and those special teams.""Sorry, NFL, they did it again."Sunday's 30-17 victory was arguably the Chiefs' most impressive of the year, decisively taking down a team that was widely considered to be the best in the league entering Week 6. The Chiefs […]

trending_flat
Jets WR Garrett Wilson hyperextended knee in loss to Broncos, will miss a ‘couple of weeks’

Though he appears to have avoided major injury, New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson is still expected to miss “a couple of weeks” with a knee injury, according to ESPN’s Rich Cimini.Wilson hyperextended his knee and will now be sidelined for the near future after the team’s 13-11 loss to the Denver Broncos in London on Sunday. An MRI on Monday confirmed the injury, which reportedly happened on the team’s second-to-last offensive play in the loss at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Wilson landed awkwardly after an incomplete pass, and then missed the last play of the game.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement[Get more Jets news: New York team feed]A specific timeline for his return isn’t known. The Jets are set to take on the Carolina Panthers next on Sunday, and then they’ll travel to the Cincinnati Bengals the following week before their bye. According to […]

trending_flat
Commanders vs. Bears prediction, odds, start time: 2025 Week 6 Monday Night Football picks from proven model

The Chicago Bears (2-2) visit the Washington Commanders (3-2) in the NFL Week 6 finale on 'Monday Night Football.' The Bears are coming out of their Week 5 bye looking for another victory after winning each of their last two games. They visit a Commanders team that upset the Los Angeles Chargers in a 27-10 road win their last time out. Terry McLaurin (quad) and Noah Brown (groin/knee) are both out for Washington, while running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. (calf) and receiver Deebo Samuel (heel) are questionable, though Samuel is reportedly set to play.Kickoff from Northwest Stadium is set for 8:15 p.m. ET. Washington is a 5.5-point favorite in the latest Bears vs. Commanders odds, and the over/under for total points scored is 49.5. Before making any Commanders vs. Bears picks, be sure to see what the SportsLine projection model has […]

trending_flat
NFL suspends Brian Branch without pay for initiating postgame brawl between Lions, Chiefs

Brian Branch has been suspended by the NFL for one game without pay for his actions following the Lions' loss to the Chiefs on Sunday night. The Lions' Pro Bowl defensive back initiated a fight between the two teams immediately following the Chiefs' 30-17 win when he punched Kansas City wideout JuJu Smith-Schuster. Branch, who will miss the Lions' upcoming home game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on "Monday Night Football," stands to lose $76,624 for one one-game suspension. He is planning to appeal said suspension, according to NFL Media. Branch attributed his actions postgame to building frustration with Smith-Schuster during Sunday night's game. "I did a real childish thing," Branch said. "I'm tired of people doing stuff in between plays and refs don't catch it. They be trying to bully me out there. I shouldn't have did it, it was childish." Lions […]

trending_flat
What Does Brian Callahan’s Firing Mean for Cam Ward’s Development with Titans?

Cam Ward didn’t have much stability in his college football days. The No. 1 pick had three different offensive playcallers in his last three seasons at Washington State (2022-23) and Miami (2024). That’s on top of the challenges acclimating to different coaching staffs and teammates at three programs in a five-year span. So in August, when asked about what it could mean for him to finally have stability in the NFL, the Titans rookie quarterback said it would "unlock everything.""You see the best quarterbacks out there," Ward said during training camp. "Tom Brady? He had stability. Lamar [Jackson]? He had stability. Pat [Mahomes]? He had stability. I just think that a lot of guys who have stability in the NFL can succeed at a faster rate, but can also succeed long term. I just think that’s what we need in Tennessee."That's […]

Related

Bruno Henrique recebe multa e pode jogar pelo Flamengo na Libertadores

Bruno Henrique está liberado para enfrentar o Racing (crédito: Gilvan de Souza/Flamengo)Bruno Henrique recebeu apenas advertência e multa pelos gestos obscenos em direção à torcida do Estudiantes. Com a decisão da Unidade Disciplinar da Conmebol desta segunda-feira, 13 de outubro, o atacante do Flamengo poderá enfrentar o Racing, no Maracanã, pela partida de ida da semifinal da Libertadores. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADEApesar de o jogador, que é reserva com o técnico Filipe Luís, não estar suspenso, o Rubro-Negro vai recorrer contra a multa de 25 mil dólares (cerca de R$ 136 mil).Bruno Henrique se desculpou por gestos obscenosNa audiência que aconteceu na última sexta-feira (10), Bruno Henrique participou de maneira virtual e afirmou que teve uma “reação impensada” diante do clima hostil. Ele ainda alegou que não foi quem começou com as provocações e citou objetos arremessados em direção a ele e […]

trending_flat
Sorry, NFL: Chiefs Still Look Like Best Team in Professional Football

The Kansas City Chiefs are back to .500, improving to 3-3 after defeating the Detroit Lions on Sunday night. And, apparently, the win was enough for Colin Cowherd to declare that Patrick Mahomes, Andy Reid and the Chiefs have regained their throne as the NFL's top team."Everybody's worst nightmare is now official: The Kansas City Chiefs, once again, are the best team in professional football," Cowherd said on Monday's "The Herd." "First three weeks, Mahomes was wobbly, and they were averaging 20 points per game. In their last three games, they're averaging 32 points per game along with that defense and those special teams.""Sorry, NFL, they did it again."Sunday's 30-17 victory was arguably the Chiefs' most impressive of the year, decisively taking down a team that was widely considered to be the best in the league entering Week 6. The Chiefs […]

trending_flat
Jets WR Garrett Wilson hyperextended knee in loss to Broncos, will miss a ‘couple of weeks’

Though he appears to have avoided major injury, New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson is still expected to miss “a couple of weeks” with a knee injury, according to ESPN’s Rich Cimini.Wilson hyperextended his knee and will now be sidelined for the near future after the team’s 13-11 loss to the Denver Broncos in London on Sunday. An MRI on Monday confirmed the injury, which reportedly happened on the team’s second-to-last offensive play in the loss at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Wilson landed awkwardly after an incomplete pass, and then missed the last play of the game.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement[Get more Jets news: New York team feed]A specific timeline for his return isn’t known. The Jets are set to take on the Carolina Panthers next on Sunday, and then they’ll travel to the Cincinnati Bengals the following week before their bye. According to […]

trending_flat
Commanders vs. Bears prediction, odds, start time: 2025 Week 6 Monday Night Football picks from proven model

The Chicago Bears (2-2) visit the Washington Commanders (3-2) in the NFL Week 6 finale on 'Monday Night Football.' The Bears are coming out of their Week 5 bye looking for another victory after winning each of their last two games. They visit a Commanders team that upset the Los Angeles Chargers in a 27-10 road win their last time out. Terry McLaurin (quad) and Noah Brown (groin/knee) are both out for Washington, while running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. (calf) and receiver Deebo Samuel (heel) are questionable, though Samuel is reportedly set to play.Kickoff from Northwest Stadium is set for 8:15 p.m. ET. Washington is a 5.5-point favorite in the latest Bears vs. Commanders odds, and the over/under for total points scored is 49.5. Before making any Commanders vs. Bears picks, be sure to see what the SportsLine projection model has […]

trending_flat
NFL suspends Brian Branch without pay for initiating postgame brawl between Lions, Chiefs

Brian Branch has been suspended by the NFL for one game without pay for his actions following the Lions' loss to the Chiefs on Sunday night. The Lions' Pro Bowl defensive back initiated a fight between the two teams immediately following the Chiefs' 30-17 win when he punched Kansas City wideout JuJu Smith-Schuster. Branch, who will miss the Lions' upcoming home game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on "Monday Night Football," stands to lose $76,624 for one one-game suspension. He is planning to appeal said suspension, according to NFL Media. Branch attributed his actions postgame to building frustration with Smith-Schuster during Sunday night's game. "I did a real childish thing," Branch said. "I'm tired of people doing stuff in between plays and refs don't catch it. They be trying to bully me out there. I shouldn't have did it, it was childish." Lions […]

trending_flat
What Does Brian Callahan’s Firing Mean for Cam Ward’s Development with Titans?

Cam Ward didn’t have much stability in his college football days. The No. 1 pick had three different offensive playcallers in his last three seasons at Washington State (2022-23) and Miami (2024). That’s on top of the challenges acclimating to different coaching staffs and teammates at three programs in a five-year span. So in August, when asked about what it could mean for him to finally have stability in the NFL, the Titans rookie quarterback said it would "unlock everything.""You see the best quarterbacks out there," Ward said during training camp. "Tom Brady? He had stability. Lamar [Jackson]? He had stability. Pat [Mahomes]? He had stability. I just think that a lot of guys who have stability in the NFL can succeed at a faster rate, but can also succeed long term. I just think that’s what we need in Tennessee."That's […]

Be the first to leave a comment

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Sportivo bridges the gap between talent and opportunity.

About SPORTIVO

Sportivo Network is a dedicated social platform for sports enthusiasts, athletes, and scouts. Whether you’re an aspiring athlete looking for opportunities, a coach searching for talent, or simply a sports lover wanting to connect with like-minded people, Sportivo is your go-to network. With features like direct messaging, profile showcasing, and talent scouting, Sportivo bridges the gap between talent and opportunity. Here, you can share your achievements, interact with professionals, and open doors to the next level in your sports journey. Join Sportivo Network – because every great athlete deserves to be discovered!
Copyright © 2025 SPORTIVO News. and SPORTIVO Network. All rights reserved.

Login to enjoy full advantages

Please login or subscribe to continue.

Go Premium!

Enjoy the full advantage of the premium access.

Stop following

Unfollow Cancel

Cancel subscription

Are you sure you want to cancel your subscription? You will lose your Premium access and stored playlists.

Go back Confirm cancellation