An immaculate inning is rarer than we might think. It requires 3 strikeouts on the minimum 9 pitches. Anyone can accomplish this. It takes a little bit of luck, good control, and maybe a wild swing at a ball out of the zone. New York Mets history has several instances of this happening for or against them. This is all of them.
The immaculate innings for the Mets
Nolan Ryan April 19, 1968 vs. the Dodgers
On his way to striking out 11 Los Angeles Dodgers hitters over the course of 7.1 innings, Nolan Ryan put together the first immaculate inning in Mets history. He struck out the side in the first inning, but it was in the third inning when he did it again on only 9 pitches. Claude Osteen, Wes Parker, and Zoilo Versailles were the victims. The latter two started off the game with a pair of Ks. The Mets lost this game despite Ryan’s dominance.
David Cone August 30, 1991 vs. the Reds
David Cone struck out 9 Cincinnati Reds in 6 innings of work the second and only other time when a Mets pitcher threw an immaculate inning. This time, it came in the fifth inning and the Mets managed to pick up the win. Herm Winningham, Randy Myers, and Mariano Duncan were the trio to go down on strikes on as few pitches as possible.
The immaculate innings thrown against the Mets
Sandy Koufax June 30, 1962 for the Dodgers
Very appropriately, the first no-hitter against the Mets also included an immaculate inning. He got it out of the way immediately by striking out Richie Ashburn, Rod Kanehl, and Felix Mantilla to start the game. He’d fan 13 total Mets hitters while walking 5 in this no-hit bid.
Mel Rojas May 11, 1994 for the Expos
In a game started by Pedro Martinez and finished by Mel Rojas, it was the second of these two future Mets who’d throw the immaculate inning. Rojas worked the final 2 innings and would finish the game off by striking out David Segui, Todd Hundley, and pinch hitter Jeff McKnight.
Ivan Nova May 29, 2013 for the Yankees
This was a rather wild Subway Series game where starter David Phelps exited after recording only a single out. Ivan Nova was the bulk guy out of the bullpen, pitching 5 innings of a Mets game won by Jeremy Hefner. Nova’s immaculate inning came in the 8th when he fanned Ike Davis, Mike Baxter, and Ruben Tejada.
Chad Green July 4, 2021 for the Yankees
What are the odds there’s another Yankees pitcher on this list? Chad Green threw 3 perfect innings to finish off the Mets in this game, his immaculate inning coming in the final frame of a weird 2021 season when doubleheaders were still only 7 innings. The game concluded with Green striking out Michael Conforto, Jeff McNeil, and Jonathan Villar on 9 pitches.
Brandon Young July 8, 2025 for the Orioles
One of the more random immaculate innings came in 2025 when the Mets faced the Baltimore Orioles and starter Brandon Young had one in the fifth inning. Jesse Winker, Jeff McNeil, and Luis Torrens were the victims here. For McNeil’s inclusion, he gained the distinction of being the first Mets player involved in more than one immaculate inning in the club’s history.
