Gavin Williams only needed nine pitches to get through the top of the fourth inning during a Thursday matinee against the Minnesota Twins. The Cleveland Guardians’ pitcher was efficient as he recorded the fifth immaculate inning in franchise history, throwing only strikes to three visiting batters.
Byron Buxton, Ryan Jeffers and Josh Bell each struck out on three pitches with Williams recording five swinging strikes, two looking and two foul balls to retire the side in quick fashion.
José Ramírez was apparently unaware of the history made by Williams and nearly tossed the ball into the stands following the third out. Thankfully catcher Patrick Bailey saved the day by alerting the third baseman to hold on to the ball.
Williams was in the zone as he finished with 11 strikeouts for the third straight start and second time this month against Minnesota. He was replaced after the seventh inning after 97 pitches with the Guardians leading 1-0.
The last immaculate inning by a Guardians pitcher came in Sept. 2022 when Enyel De Los Santos made quick work of Christian Bethancourt, Jose Siri, and Taylor Walls of the Tampa Bay Rays. The rare feat was also achieved by Zach Plesac (Sept. 2020 vs. Detroit), Carlos Carrasco (July 2017 vs. Detroit) and Justin Masterson (June 2014 vs. Boston).
Williams’ achievement is the second time an MLB pitcher has delivered an immaculate inning this season. Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Michael Soroka struck out Javier Báez, Kerry Carpenter and Gleyber Torres of the Detroit Tigers on nine pitches on March 30.
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