List of Major League Baseball single-inning strikeout leaders
In baseball, a strikeout occurs when a pitcher throws three strikes to a batter during his time at bat.[1] Under Rules 6.05 and 6.09 of the Official Rules of Major League Baseball, a batter becomes a runner when a third strike is not caught by the catcher with no runner on first base or when there are two outs.[2] The strikeout is recorded, but the batter-runner must be tagged or forced out in order for the defensive team to register the out. Thus, it is possible for a pitcher to record more than three strikeouts in an inning.[3] As a result of this rule, 70 different pitchers have struck out four batters in a half-inning of a Major League Baseball (MLB) game as of 2015, the most recent being Will Smith of the Milwaukee Brewers on October 4, 2015.[4] Three players—Chuck Finley, A. J. Burnett and Zack Greinke—have accomplished the feat more than once in their career;[5] no player has ever struck out more than four batters in an inning. Ed Crane was the first player to strike out four batters in one inning, doing so in the fifth inning for the New York Giants against the Chicago White Stockings on October 4, 1888.[6]
Out of the 70 pitchers who have accomplished the feat, 53 were right-handed and 17 were left-handed. Nineteen of these players (including ten active pitchers) have played for only one major league team.[upper-alpha 1] Three pitchers—Bob Gibson, Walter Johnson and Phil Niekro—are also members of the 3,000 strikeout club.[7] Finley is the only pitcher to achieve the feat on three separate occasions, as well as twice in a single season.[8] Pete Richert struck out four batters in the third inning of his first major league game, becoming the only player to attain the milestone in his debut.[9] Orval Overall is the sole player to strike out four batters in one inning in the World Series.[10]
Of the 26 players eligible for the Baseball Hall of Fame who have struck out four batters in an inning, four have been elected and two were elected on the first ballot.[11] Players are eligible for the Hall of Fame if they have played in at least 10 major league seasons, and have either been retired for five seasons or deceased for at least six months.[12] These requirements leave 26 players ineligible who are active, four who are living and have played in the past five seasons, and fourteen who did not play in 10 major league seasons.
Players
Pitcher (X) | Name of the pitcher and number of four strikeout innings they had pitched at that point |
---|---|
Date | Date of the game |
Team | The player's team at the time of the game |
Opposing team | The team against whom the pitcher struck out four batters in one inning |
Inning | The inning in which the pitcher struck out four batters |
Batters faced (X) | The four batters who were struck out and number of four strikeout innings they had batted in at that point |
Box | Box score with play by play (if available) |
º | Indicates that the pitcher struck out all four batters consecutively |
§ | Denotes the batter who reached base |
Elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame | |
Player is active[upper-alpha 2][upper-alpha 3] |
Notes
- ↑ The Baseball Almanac general reference below links to the profiles of each player, where their one-team status can be verified.
- ↑ A player is considered inactive if he has announced his retirement or not played for a full season.
- ↑ The Baseball Almanac general reference below links to the profiles of each player, where their active status can be verified.
- ↑ Baseball Almanac incorrectly lists Morton as having struck out four batters in the 7th inning. He accomplished the feat in the 6th, as confirmed by the Society for American Baseball Research and The Evening News.[14][19]
References
General
- "Four Strikeouts in One Inning". Baseball-Almanac.com. Baseball Almanac. Retrieved May 22, 2013.
- "Four K's in one inning – Rare Feats". MLB.com. Major League Baseball. Retrieved May 22, 2013.
- "Baseball Hall of Fame Inductees". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved May 3, 2013.
Specific
- ↑ "Guide to baseball". BBC News (BBC). Retrieved December 1, 2012.
- ↑ "Official Rules: 6.00 – The Batter". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Retrieved June 20, 2013.
- ↑ Lebovitz, Hal (April 27, 2007). Ask Hal: Answers to Fans' Most Interesting Questions about Baseball Rules, from a Hall-Of-Fame Sportswriter. Gray & Company. pp. 69–70. ISBN 9781598510348. Retrieved June 20, 2013.
- 1 2 "October 4, 2015 Chicago Cubs at Milwaukee Brewers Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. October 4, 2015. Retrieved November 5, 2015.
- ↑ Gurnick, Ken (July 26, 2014). "Greinke records rare four-strikeout inning". MLB.com (MLB Advanced Media). Retrieved July 29, 2014.
- ↑ McKenna, Brian. "Ed Crane". The Baseball Biography Project. Society for American Baseball Research. Retrieved June 20, 2013.
- ↑ "Career Leaders & Records for Strikeouts". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved June 20, 2013.
- ↑ Fox, Bucky (2006). The Highflying Angels: Their 50 Greatest Hits Pitches And Plays. The Highflying Angels. p. 22. ISBN 9780977810604. Retrieved June 20, 2013.
- ↑ Ulrey, Adam. "Pete Richert". The Baseball Biography Project. Society for American Baseball Research. Retrieved June 20, 2013.
- ↑ Snyder, John (2005). Cubs Journal: Year by Year and Day by Day with the Chicago Cubs Since 1876. Emmis Books. p. 150. ISBN 9781578601929. Retrieved June 20, 2013.
- ↑ "Baseball Hall of Fame Inductees". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved November 9, 2012.
- ↑ "Rules for Election". National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
- ↑ "The 1888 New York Giants Regular Season Game Log". Retrosheet. Retrieved June 16, 2013.
- 1 2 3 4 Rothe, Emil H. "Fanning Four Batters in One Inning". Research Journal Archives. Society for American Baseball Research. Retrieved June 20, 2013.
- ↑ "The 1906 New York Giants Regular Season Game Log". Retrosheet. Retrieved June 16, 2013.
- ↑ "October 14, 1908 World Series Game 5, Cubs at Tigers". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. October 14, 1908. Retrieved June 16, 2013.
- ↑ "The 1911 Washington Senators Regular Season Game Log". Retrosheet. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
- ↑ Thomas, Henry W. (February 1, 1998). Walter Johnson: Baseball's Big Train. University of Nebraska Press. p. 82. ISBN 0803294336. Retrieved June 20, 2013.
- 1 2 "Pitcher Fans 4 Batters In One Inning". The Evening News (San Jose). February 8, 1917. p. 3. Retrieved June 20, 2013.
- ↑ "June 11, 1916 Philadelphia Athletics at Cleveland Indians Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. June 11, 1916. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
- ↑ "May 27, 1956 Chicago Cubs at St. Louis Cardinals (First Game) Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. May 27, 1956. Retrieved May 31, 2013.
- ↑ "August 11, 1959 Milwaukee Braves at Cincinnati Redlegs (First Game) Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. August 11, 1959. Retrieved May 31, 2013.
- ↑ "May 18, 1961 Chicago White Sox at Los Angeles Angels Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. May 18, 1961. Retrieved May 31, 2013.
- ↑ "April 12, 1962 Cincinnati Reds at Los Angeles Dodgers Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. April 12, 1962. Retrieved May 31, 2013.
- ↑ "September 2, 1964 Cleveland Indians at Washington Senators Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. September 2, 1964. Retrieved May 31, 2013.
- ↑ "April 17, 1965 Los Angeles Dodgers at Philadelphia Phillies Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. April 17, 1965. Retrieved May 31, 2013.
- ↑ "June 7, 1966 St. Louis Cardinals at Pittsburgh Pirates Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. June 7, 1966. Retrieved June 7, 2013.
- ↑ "May 29, 1970 Baltimore Orioles at California Angels Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. May 29, 1970. Retrieved June 7, 2013.
- ↑ "July 31, 1974 Montreal Expos at Chicago Cubs (First Game) Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. July 31, 1974. Retrieved June 7, 2013.
- ↑ "July 29, 1977 Pittsburgh Pirates at Atlanta Braves Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. July 29, 1977. Retrieved June 7, 2013.
- ↑ "July 21, 1978 Seattle Mariners at Cleveland Indians Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. July 21, 1978. Retrieved June 7, 2013.
- ↑ "May 17, 1984 Chicago Cubs at Cincinnati Reds Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. May 17, 1984. Retrieved June 7, 2013.
- ↑ "September 3, 1986 Houston Astros at Chicago Cubs Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. September 3, 1986. Retrieved June 7, 2013.
- ↑ "August 2, 1987 Baltimore Orioles at Texas Rangers Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. August 2, 1987. Retrieved June 7, 2013.
- ↑ "July 4, 1988 New York Yankees at Texas Rangers Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. July 4, 1988. Retrieved June 7, 2013.
- ↑ "August 22, 1989 St. Louis Cardinals at Atlanta Braves Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. August 22, 1989. Retrieved June 8, 2013.
- ↑ "June 4, 1990 Cincinnati Reds at San Francisco Giants Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. June 4, 1990. Retrieved June 8, 2013.
- ↑ "September 9, 1990 Seattle Mariners at Boston Red Sox Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. September 9, 1990. Retrieved June 8, 2013.
- ↑ "May 14, 1994 Detroit Tigers at Cleveland Indians Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. May 14, 1994. Retrieved June 8, 2013.
- ↑ "June 7, 1995 Chicago Cubs at Atlanta Braves Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. June 7, 1995. Retrieved June 8, 2013.
- ↑ "July 25, 1996 Chicago Cubs at Colorado Rockies Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. July 25, 1996. Retrieved June 8, 2013.
- ↑ "September 3, 1996 Kansas City Royals at Toronto Blue Jays Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. September 3, 1996. Retrieved June 8, 2013.
- ↑ "September 13, 1996 Atlanta Braves at New York Mets Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. September 13, 1996. Retrieved June 8, 2013.
- ↑ "July 21, 1997 Chicago White Sox at Detroit Tigers Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. July 21, 1997. Retrieved June 10, 2013.
- ↑ "July 27, 1998 Oakland Athletics at Tampa Bay Devil Rays Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. July 27, 1998. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
- ↑ "September 16, 1998 Florida Marlins at Montreal Expos Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. September 16, 1998. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
- ↑ "April 28, 1999 Chicago Cubs at Florida Marlins Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. April 28, 1999. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
- ↑ "May 12, 1999 Anaheim Angels at New York Yankees Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. May 12, 1999. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
- ↑ "July 22, 1999 San Diego Padres at San Francisco Giants Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. July 22, 1999. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
- ↑ "August 10, 1999 Boston Red Sox at Kansas City Royals Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. August 10, 1999. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
- ↑ "August 15, 1999 Anaheim Angels at Detroit Tigers Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. August 15, 1999. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
- ↑ "August 17, 1999 Montreal Expos at San Francisco Giants Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. August 17, 1999. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
- ↑ "April 16, 2000 Texas Rangers at Cleveland Indians Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. April 16, 2000. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
- ↑ "June 30, 2001 Oakland Athletics at Texas Rangers Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. June 30, 2001. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
- ↑ "July 22, 2001 Cincinnati Reds at Florida Marlins Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. July 22, 2001. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
- ↑ "July 5, 2002 New York Mets at Florida Marlins Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. July 5, 2002. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
- ↑ "September 2, 2002 Milwaukee Brewers at Chicago Cubs (Second Game) Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. September 2, 2002. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
- ↑ "April 4, 2003 Seattle Mariners at Texas Rangers Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. April 4, 2003. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
- ↑ "May 22, 2003 Colorado Rockies at Los Angeles Dodgers Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. May 22, 2003. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
- ↑ "June 11, 2003 Houston Astros at New York Yankees Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. June 11, 2003. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
- ↑ "June 13, 2004 Houston Astros at Milwaukee Brewers Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. June 13, 2004. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
- ↑ "August 3, 2004 New York Mets at Milwaukee Brewers Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. August 3, 2004. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
- ↑ "April 26, 2006 Cincinnati Reds at Washington Nationals Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. April 26, 2006. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
- ↑ "September 23, 2006 Arizona Diamondbacks at Los Angeles Dodgers Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. September 23, 2006. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
- ↑ "June 15, 2008 Minnesota Twins at Milwaukee Brewers Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. June 15, 2008. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
- ↑ "June 21, 2008 Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Philadelphia Phillies Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. June 21, 2008. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
- ↑ "October 4, 2009 Arizona Diamondbacks at Chicago Cubs Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. October 4, 2009. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
- ↑ "October 4, 2009 San Francisco Giants at San Diego Padres Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. October 4, 2009. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
- ↑ "June 3, 2010 Minnesota Twins at Seattle Mariners Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. June 3, 2010. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
- ↑ "June 6, 2010 Milwaukee Brewers at St. Louis Cardinals Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. June 6, 2010. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
- ↑ "June 24, 2011 Colorado Rockies at New York Yankees Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. June 24, 2011. Retrieved June 8, 2013.
- ↑ "August 4, 2011 Cleveland Indians at Boston Red Sox Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. August 4, 2011. Retrieved June 8, 2013.
- ↑ "August 25, 2011 Detroit Tigers at Tampa Bay Rays Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. August 25, 2011. Retrieved June 8, 2013.
- ↑ "September 17, 2011 Milwaukee Brewers at Cincinnati Reds Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. September 17, 2011. Retrieved June 8, 2013.
- ↑ "April 24, 2012 Houston Astros at Milwaukee Brewers Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. April 24, 2012. Retrieved May 31, 2013.
- ↑ "April 27, 2012 Oakland Athletics at Baltimore Orioles Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. April 27, 2012. Retrieved May 31, 2013.
- ↑ "June 5, 2012 Minnesota Twins at Kansas City Royals Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. June 5, 2012. Retrieved May 31, 2013.
- ↑ "August 13, 2012 Chicago White Sox at Toronto Blue Jays Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. August 13, 2012. Retrieved May 31, 2013.
- ↑ "September 20, 2012 Cincinnati Reds at Chicago Cubs Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. September 20, 2012. Retrieved May 31, 2013.
- ↑ "September 20, 2012 Toronto Blue Jays at New York Yankees Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. September 20, 2012. Retrieved May 31, 2013.
- ↑ "September 25, 2012 Seattle Mariners at Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. September 25, 2012. Retrieved May 31, 2013.
- ↑ "September 26, 2012 Miami Marlins at Atlanta Braves Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. September 26, 2012. Retrieved May 30, 2013.
- ↑ "April 28, 2013 Cincinnati Reds at Washington Nationals Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. April 28, 2013. Retrieved May 30, 2013.
- ↑ "May 10, 2013 San Diego Padres at Tampa Bay Rays Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. May 10, 2013. Retrieved May 30, 2013.
- ↑ "October 12, 2013 American League Championship Series (ALCS) Game 1, Tigers at Red Sox Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. October 12, 2013. Retrieved October 13, 2013.
- ↑ "July 25, 2014 Los Angeles Dodgers at San Francisco Giants Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. July 25, 2014. Retrieved July 29, 2014.
- ↑ "August 29, 2014 Chicago Cubs at St. Louis Cardinals Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. August 29, 2014. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
- ↑ "September 20th, 2014 Arizona Diamondbacks at Colorado Rockies Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. September 20, 2014. Retrieved September 21, 2014.
- ↑ "May 15, 2015 Colorado Rockies at Los Angeles Dodgers Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. May 15, 2015. Retrieved May 16, 2015.
- ↑ "May 16, 2015 Colorado Rockies at Los Angeles Dodgers Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. May 16, 2015. Retrieved May 17, 2015.
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