Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto was one strike away from joining an elite group of pitchers who have completed an immaculate inning, a rare feat in Major League Baseball. During a game against the San Diego Padres on Thursday, Yamamoto struck out three batters in order on three pitches, all called strikes. However, the third pitch of the inning was ruled a ball by umpire Mark Hudson, preventing Yamamoto from achieving the milestone. The decision sparked immediate controversy among fans, analysts, and even the game’s broadcast team.
As the game unfolded, the Dodgers and Padres’ benches cleared in the ninth inning after San Diego’s Fernando Tatis Jr. was plunked by a pitch, leading to ejections for both managers. The tension escalated further when Shohei Ohtani was hit by a pitch in the bottom of the inning. Despite the chaotic scenes, the focus quickly shifted back to Yamamoto’s near-miss. The broadcast crew, including veteran analysts Joe Davis and Eric Karros, were particularly vocal about the umpire’s call, with Davis exclaiming, ‘Oh no! Marvin Hudson cost him an immaculate inning!’ Karros added, ‘That wasn’t even borderline or anything… That was borderline middle-middle.’
The incident has reignited discussions about the accuracy of umpire calls in high-stakes moments. While Yamamoto ultimately recorded the third out via a strikeout, the missed opportunity to complete an immaculate inning has become a talking point among baseball enthusiasts. With only 116 immaculate innings recorded in MLB history, Yamamoto’s near-success underscores the rarity and significance of the achievement. The last such inning was recorded by Miami Marlins pitcher Cal Quantrill earlier this month, marking a notable moment in the sport’s history.
As the game concluded with the Padres securing a 5-3 victory, the drama of the evening was marked by both the intensity of the matchup and the controversy that followed. The events have further highlighted the role of umpires in shaping the outcome of critical moments in baseball, fueling ongoing debates about the need for improved technology and decision-making in the sport.