Three Pitch Innings
This Kottke post about immaculate innings (where the pitcher strikes out all three batters with exactly 9 pitches) made me remember back to the 2001 American League Championship Series Game 4 between the Mariners and Yankees where Mariano Rivera threw a 3 pitch inning (one of the more amazing baseball feats I’ve seen). It was like every guy thought he could outsmart the cut fastball and none of the three got it out of the infield. I can’t find video, but here’s the box score which shows each batter had a 0-0 count when they made an out. After the game when they interviewed Rivera he just said something to the effect of, “well … three pitches is three pitches.”
If anyone can track down the video I’d really appreciate it. Oh, and here’s the full list of three pitch innings, apparently Rivera did it again in 2003 against the Cardinals.
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This is a good illustration of how long-term statistical trends vary greatly under truncated circumstances. That year the Mariners ranked as the second most patient team in the AL in terms of pitches seen per plate appearance (Pit/PA)at 3.78. And Rivera’s Pit/PA was basically at the average for the league. However, when he managed to get an 0-1 count he was virtually unhittable that year (57 K/BB ratio, .191 OBP), so maybe they decided to roll the dice since they were screwed either way.
One of my favorites in terms of pitching domination, though not quite as efficient based on pitch count, was Pedro Martinez in the 1999 All Star game. He started the game by striking out the side (Barry Larkin, Larry Walker, and Sammy Sosa), and then finished by striking out two more in the second. He only gave up one baserunner on an error. He was totally untouchable against the best hitters in the league.
Funny timing on this since I was at Fenway the other day and we got into a debate over how frequently the 3 pitch inning occurs. Ended up pulling up that exact same site to settle the debate. I still think the 9 pitch 3 strike out inning is the more impressive feat, which I was lucky enough to see Pedro do back in his glory days.
my brother and i saw a 3 pitch inning in either ’97 or ’98 in Texas and made a pact to watch for future 3 pitch innings (i know, but baseball fans are stat freaks and when you are a Ranger fan there’s nothing else to do). never saw another one, either of us. but it got me wondering since, theoretically, there could be a 2,1, or even 0 pitch inning (say, balks and pickoffs at first). i know it would be next to impossible, but that would be a real stat freak find.