Oakland pitcher Rich Harden struck out the first three batters for the Los Angeles Angels today (Maicer Izturis, Howie Kendrick, and Garret Anderson) on just nine pitches. That was the 44th time in major league history a pitcher had stuck out side the on nine pitches.
The last pitcher in the majors to pull of that feat was Buddy Carlyle of the Braves against the Padres on July 6, 2007. In the fourth inning, Khalil Greene, Russell Branyan, and Jose Cruz all fell before the mighty power of Buddy!
Pedro Martinez was the last AL pitcher to strike out the side on nine pitches back on May 18, 2002 against Seattle. Ichiro Suzuki, Mark McLemore, and Ruben Sierra were the victims in the first inning.
Three pitchers have done the 3 Ks in 9 pitches twice and they were a trio of has beens named Lefty Grove, Sandy Koufax, and Nolan Ryan.
It is also known as an "Immaculate Inning." Harden joins Martinez, Koufax, and Rick Helling as the only pitchers ever to start the game with three strikeouts on nine pitches.
I couldn't quite say it belongs alongside these legitimate feats, but there was a pretty unique one earlier this year. 1st game of the year between Cubs/Brewers, Marmol came into the game and got 3 strikeouts on 8 pitches.
You know what - I may be confusing that with the game in which it actually happened, but I swear it happened and will not rest until I rectify the situation. I can't even excuse my faulty memory with the fact that an old ballplayer.
Top 7th:
Zambrano pitching with 1 out.
Bill Hall doubles.
Corey Hart batting. Strike, foul, pickoff attempt, ball, ball, pickoff of Bill Hall for 2nd out.
Zambrano leaves with his patented forearm cramp mid-AB.
Marmol relieves. 1 pitch strikeout.
Top 8th:
Marmol strikes out Hardy on 4 pitches.
Marmol strikes out Gross on 3 pitches.
7 Somehow I don't think that a "1 pitch strikeout" where a previous pitcher has contributed already 2 strikes and 2 balls to the batter's count, merits a "strikeout" designation. At best it's 1/3rd of a strikeout, with 2/3rds contributed by the previous pitcher - for a total strikeout of 5 pitches. (We'll ignore the pickoffs.)
Comment status: comments have been closed. Baseball Toaster is now out of business.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CHN/CHN200803310.shtml
MLB.com Gameday log:
Top 7th:
Zambrano pitching with 1 out.
Bill Hall doubles.
Corey Hart batting. Strike, foul, pickoff attempt, ball, ball, pickoff of Bill Hall for 2nd out.
Zambrano leaves with his patented forearm cramp mid-AB.
Marmol relieves. 1 pitch strikeout.
Top 8th:
Marmol strikes out Hardy on 4 pitches.
Marmol strikes out Gross on 3 pitches.
Convoluted, indeed, but still unique.
I would have to say that that particular feat is interesting, but not particularly impressive.
Comment status: comments have been closed. Baseball Toaster is now out of business.