Apr 17, 2022; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Nestor Cortes (65) pitches against the Baltimore Orioles during the first inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Scott Taetsch-USA TODAY Sports

Yankees' Nestor Cortes throws immaculate inning vs. Orioles

By Adam Stites | Last updated 4/17/22

New York Yankees pitcher Nestor Cortes threw an immaculate inning Sunday, striking out three Baltimore Orioles in the fourth inning with just nine pitches.

Cortes, 27, first struck out Anthony Santander with a called strike followed by a foul ball and a foul tip caught by Yankees catcher Kyle Higashioka. Then, Cortes struck out Ryan McKenna and Robinson Chirinos with six more strikes, three swinging and three called.

Talented, brilliant, incredible, amazing, show stopping, spectacular, never the same, totally unique, completely not ever been done before, and immaculate.@Cortes_1210 pic.twitter.com/FPHY1IHvli
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) April 17, 2022

Cortes exited the game after pitching five innings with the score still tied 0-0. He gave up three hits, one walk and struck out 12. This is something no Yankees pitcher has ever done in an outing of five innings or fewer, according to ESPN Stats and Info.

Five pitchers managed to record an immaculate inning during the 2021 MLB season, including both Michael King and Chad Green of the Yankees. The last to accomplish the feat was Max Scherzer, who joined Sandy Koufax as the only pitcher to do it three times.

Cortes finished the 2021 season with a 2-3 record and struck out 103 batters in 93 innings pitched.

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