Marlins' Cal Quantrill pitches MLB's 1st immaculate inning of 2025, and 118th in baseball history
Miami Marlins or Tampa Bay Rays fans not paying close attention during the fourth inning of Sunday's matchup might have been surprised by how quickly the top of the frame went by. Or they may have missed a special achievement by Marlins pitcher Cal Quantrill.
However, those who were dialed in watched the first immaculate inning of the 2025 MLB season and the 118th in baseball history. If you're unfamiliar with the term, an immaculate inning occurs when a pitcher strikes out the side on nine pitches.
Quantrill led off the inning by sitting down Jonathan Aranda on three consecutive cutters, all on the high and inside portion of the strike zone. The right-hander then got ahead of Christopher Morel with a sinker and curveball before catching him looking at a four-seam fastball on the high outside corner. Quantrill finished off the inning with a fastball to Kameron Misner followed by two cutters, the last of which was high and out of the strike zone. But Misner chased it for a strikeout.
An immaculate inning might not seem more rare than a perfect game. And in terms of numbers, it isn't. There have been 23 perfect games pitched in MLB history compared to those 118 immaculate innings. But in terms of percentages, pitching an immaculate inning is more rare, as MLB analyst Ryan Spaeder explained on social media.
Out of approximately 460,000 pitched games in major league history, 23 of those have been perfect games — or roughly 0.00500% (1 in 20,000). Compare that to around 4,275,000 innings pitched and 118 of them being immaculate. That equals about 0.00276% (1 one in 36,229).
So for those who were watching Quantrill in that fourth inning closely, congratulations! You witnessed a rare feat in baseball history.
Quantrill's immaculate inning was the first in MLB since Tampa Bay's Ryan Pepiot threw one last season on Sept. 18, 2024, versus the Boston Red Sox. (Two were thrown last year.) And he's the second Marlins pitcher to do so since Jesus Sanchez got three strikeouts on nine pitches against the Atlanta Braves on Sept. 13, 1998. (There were five immaculate innings thrown that season.)
You can scroll through the complete list of immaculate innings in MLB history, dating back to 1889, here.
Quantrill, 30, will surely enjoy achieving that feat in what's been a rough season for him thus far. In eight starts prior to Sunday's performance, he compiled a 7.00 ERA and 2-4 record with 23 strikeouts in 36 innings. That rate of 5.8 strikeouts per nine innings is the second-lowest of his seven-year MLB career. He was also allowing 11.5 hits per nine frames, the highest rate of his seven seasons.
Behind Quantrill allowing one run with two hits and six strikeouts over five innings, the Marlins defeated the Rays, 5-1. Miami's runs came on a three-run homer from Otto Lopez in the fourth, followed by a two-run shot by Liam Hicks in the sixth.
Following his five innings, Quantrill now has a 6.37 ERA and 3-4 record with 29 strikeouts in 41 innings. His strikeout rate improved to 6.37, while his hit rate is down to 10.54. So there's definitely room for Quantrill to improve. He might just have to keep pitching immaculately to get there.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
23 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Mike Florio Hints at a 'Bill Belichick to Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Scenario
Mike Florio Hints at a 'Bill Belichick to Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Scenario originally appeared on Athlon Sports. There have been some strange rumors circulating around the NFL coaching ranks, especially since six-time Super Bowl champion head coach Bill Belichick left the New England Patriots last offseason. Advertisement But when the rumors hit close to home, one tends to pay more attention. Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio suggested earlier this month that Belichick may have eyes on not just a return to the NFL, but also being the head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. There are two problems here. First, the Buccaneers already have a coach, and a coach that has won three straight division championships in Todd Bowles. Second, Belichick already has a job with the North Carolina Tar Heels. How would this make sense? Florio wrote that the Tar Heels general manager, Mike Lombardi, was suggesting that Bowles might be interested in retiring after this season, which was not substantiated by anyone. Advertisement Florio was curious what would motivate Lombardi to spread such a rumor. "So why would Lombardi be trying to speak a vacancy into existence? Maybe because that's one of the jobs Belichick would want," Florio wrote. "Even with all of the craziness that has happened of late, the Bucs can't be ruled out as a potential destination for Belichick." During an appearance on "Pardon My Take," Florio clarified all this by saying it's something that might not actually be happening. 'Allow me to weave my fan fiction. Belichick's consigliere Mike Lombardi, who is basically his unofficial mouthpiece, has been very quiet since all of the [Belichick's girlfriend] Jordon Hudson stuff hit the fan," Florio said. "Lombardi wouldn't shut up until this Hudson stuff happens, and now you can't find him anywhere. But he was putting out this idea that Todd Bowles would retire, possibly after the 2024 season. ... So I feel like Belichick has been eyeballing the Bucs. Maybe Lombardi was trying to speak it into existence that there'd be a vacancy there, because that's one of the teams where they've got the talent Belichick needs." Advertisement This is all very curious. And totally fiction. Bowles isn't going anywhere unless he's fired, and while Belichick probably has an interest in a return to the NFL, we saw how interested other teams are in having him last offseason when he had zero offers. Related: Buccaneers Legend Offers Biggest Impact Draft Pick Related: 'Things Will Get Ugly...' If Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield Regresses in 2025 This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
23 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Buccaneers' Mike Evans Credits Baker Mayfield For His Return
Buccaneers' Mike Evans Credits Baker Mayfield For His Return originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Baker Mayfield era in Tampa Bay has been a successful one so far for the Buccaneers. When Tom Brady retired after the 2022 season, most thought the Bucs would suffer a period of adjustment and would be cellar dwellers in the NFC and the NFC South. Advertisement But a funny thing happened on the way to the cellar. General manager Jason Licht signed Mayfield to fill the shoes of Brady, and he did. Mayfield signed on a one-year "prove-it" deal with Tampa Bay, and proceeded to post career numbers. Licht then inked the former Texas Tech Red Raider and Oklahoma Sooner to a three-year, $100 million contract. Mayfield posted another career season in Year 2 with the Bucs. And star wideout Mike Evans couldn't be happier about it. "Huge impact (on Evans' career). He's a big reason to why I came back," Evans said. "The energy that he's brought to Tampa after Tom (Brady) -- that's some huge shoes to fill, huge act to follow -- and I think he's done an unbelievable job, winning two division championships, making it to the postseason. Advertisement "But Tampa's in great hands with Baker. I'm sure he'll play much longer than I will. I'm looking forward to a great season this year and competing for a Super Bowl." Evans was to enter into free agency last offseason and was in high demand. But he eventually stayed with the Bucs and signed a two-year, $41 million deal. As he enters the final season of that deal in 2025, the relationship with Mayfield and the trending upward of the team could convince Evans to stay a couple of more years. Related: Mike Florio Hints at a 'Bill Belichick to Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Scenario Related: 'Things Will Get Ugly...' If Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield Regresses in 2025 This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 20, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
23 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Can Buccaneers' Bucky Irving Squash Sophomore Slump?
Can Buccaneers' Bucky Irving Squash Sophomore Slump? originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The rise of Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving from backup to bonafide starter in his rookie season was a sight to behold. Advertisement Initially starting behind Rachaad White, Irving proved with each touch that he was the star of the running back room, and eventually usurped White as the starter for Liam Coen. A rookie season that ended with 1,122 yards and eight touchdowns, along with 47 receptions for 392 yards, paints the picture of a fourth-round pick exceeding expectations in a big way. But as we turn for 2025, the big question facing Bucky is, can he do it again? ESPN's Mike Clay thinks so. In his 2025 projections, Irving continues his ascension to be one of the best backs in football. Irving's 2025 projection: 1,227 yards, eight touchdowns, 53 receptions, 409 yards, three touchdowns. Dec 29, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving (7) carries the ball against the Carolina Panthers during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium.© Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images So 1,636 all-purpose yards and 11 combined touchdowns isn't too bad for your second act in the NFL. Advertisement That would likely equate to Pro Bowl buzz for Bucky and further establish his standing as the clear No. 1 back behind Baker Mayfield. With his bruising, yet speedy running style, plus his ability as a pass-catcher out of the backfield, Irving is the very definition of a dual-threat back, and one that new offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard will be leaning on in 2025. Yes, this is just a projection, but there is nothing stopping Irving from hitting the numbers Clay put up, and if he does, it would mark quite the start to an NFL career for a running back who just 12 months ago wasn't even the starter. No sophomore slump here, folks. Advertisement Related: Buccaneers' Baker Mayfield Named 'Borderline Star' In QB Tiers Related: Buccaneers' Mike Evans Credits Baker Mayfield For His Return This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 21, 2025, where it first appeared.
