A three-pitch inning in Major League Baseball (MLB) occurs when a pitcher throws only three pitches in a half-inning, retiring all three batters he faces. While it is a rare feat, it has happened several times in MLB history.
The first recorded instance of a three-pitch inning occurred on July 9, 1872, in a game between the Brooklyn Atlantics and the Cleveland Forest Citys. In the bottom of the second inning, Brooklyn pitcher Candy Cummings faced three Cleveland batters and retired them all on just three pitches.
Since then, a number of other pitchers have accomplished the feat. One of the most notable examples is Bob Kuzava, who threw a three-pitch inning on September 25, 1955, while playing for the Baltimore Orioles against the Boston Red Sox. In the bottom of the eighth inning, Kuzava faced pinch hitter Dave Philley, who hit a line drive to right field for the first out. Kuzava then retired leadoff hitter Billy Goodman on a pop fly to third baseman Brooks Robinson and ended the inning by inducing a ground ball from second baseman Ted Lepcio.
Another notable three-pitch inning occurred on August 23, 2008, when San Francisco Giants pitcher Brian Wilson faced the Pittsburgh Pirates in the ninth inning of a game. Wilson quickly retired the first two batters on just two pitches, then got the third batter to ground out on the third pitch, ending the inning and the game.
In addition to Kuzava and Wilson, several other pitchers have thrown three-pitch innings in MLB history, including:
- Joe Borden (Philadelphia Phillies) on July 28, 1910
- Jack Chesbro (New York Highlanders) on June 27, 1906
- Jack Harshman (Chicago White Sox) on July 12, 1954
- Jim Kern (Cleveland Indians) on September 30, 1978
- Jamie Moyer (Seattle Mariners) on July 21, 2006
- J.R. Richard (Houston Astros) on September 8, 1979
It is worth noting that a three-pitch inning is a rare occurrence in MLB, and it requires a combination of skill, luck, and favorable circumstances. A pitcher must be able to throw strikes consistently and efficiently, and the batters he faces must be aggressive at the plate and make quick outs.
In conclusion, a three-pitch inning is a rare but not unheard-of feat in MLB history. Several pitchers have accomplished the feat over the years, including Bob Kuzava, Brian Wilson, and Joe Borden, among others. While it is a remarkable achievement, it is also a reminder of the unpredictable nature of baseball and the unexpected moments that can occur on any given day.