MIAMI – Marlins veteran right-hander Cal Quantrill had struck out the side just seven times in 765 1/3 career innings entering Sunday.
That’s to say not even Quantrill could’ve predicted him being the author of the Majors’ first immaculate inning of the season. But that’s exactly what he accomplished during the fourth inning of Sunday afternoon’s 5-1 Marlins victory over the Rays at loanDepot park.
Quantrill struck out Tampa Bay’s Jonathan Aranda, Christopher Morel and Kameron Misner on nine pitches – all strikes – in the fourth inning. Aranda and Misner swung through cutters, while Morel stared at a four-seamer on the outside corner.
“[Catcher Liam Hicks] seemed more excited than usual,” Quantrill said. “I kind of put two and two together when I was on my way in. Cool accomplishment. The fact that it comes with a win makes it even better.”
Added Hicks: “I was pretty sure it was, because I was thinking about it during the inning a little bit, so yeah I kept the ball. I didn't throw it down to third, and I went in there. I had to confirm with the coaching staff.”
The 30-year-old Quantrill became the first Major Leaguer to achieve the feat since Rays righty Ryan Pepiot on Sept. 18, 2024, vs. the Red Sox, and just the second Marlin in franchise history (lefty Jesus Sanchez, Sept. 13, 1998, vs. Braves). It was also the 118th immaculate inning on record.
“Quantrill threw a good ballgame,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said. “He mixed well, got creative with his delivery at times, dropping down at times, enough of a mix that kept us off balance."
Trailing 1-0 in the bottom half of the frame, Otto Lopez launched a go-ahead three-run homer in his return from the injured list. Hicks added a two-run shot in the sixth to give Miami a 5-1 lead.
“That's got to be the most rare, probably, I'd say, so that's got to be up there,” Hicks said of where catching an immaculate inning ranks so far in his young MLB career. “It's pretty cool [to] share it with him.”
Quantrill picked up the win by allowing just one run on two hits with two walks and a season-high-tying six strikeouts. Four relievers (Ronny Henriquez, Jesus Tinoco, Calvin Faucher and Anthony Bender) followed Quantrill with a scoreless inning apiece.
Among the 141 Major League pitchers with at least 30 innings this year, Quantrill’s 7.00 ERA entering Sunday ranked as the sixth highest. But he is trending up, with a 3.14 ERA (14 1/3 IP, 5 ER) in three May starts.
“The last three have been a lot better,” Quantrill said. “Felt like maybe the numbers weren't playing along with how I felt. So today it was nice for it to all add up to the ultimate goal. It's been a month and a half of hard work to get the repertoire where we need it. Today was a nice result.”
Added McCullough: “It goes back to Seattle a few starts ago. I think he just kind of made a decision on just being more aggressive and be more on the attack, utilize his fastball, and his cutter plays well off of that, and he's got the split behind it. Just more aggressive in the times when Cal has been at his best.”