Pannone throws immaculate inning in relief
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TORONTO -- Thomas Pannone joined some elite company on Sunday afternoon by becoming just the third Blue Jays pitcher in franchise history to record an immaculate inning.
Pannone entered in the fifth inning of Sunday's 8-4 loss to the Rays at Rogers Centre and struck out three batters on nine pitches. He joined Steve Delabar (July 30, 2013) and Roger Clemens (Sept. 18, 1997) as the only Blue Jays pitchers to accomplish the feat.
The 24-year-old Pannone also became the second Major League pitcher this season to toss an immaculate inning. Milwaukee's Josh Hader struck out all three batters in an inning on nine pitches during a game against the Cardinals on March 30.
"For sure he saved our bullpen today," Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo said of Pannone, who tossed three scoreless in relief of Marcus Stroman. "We didn't have many arms, and he was outstanding. That was great to see. Now that he's stretched out, so if we ever need him again to [go multiple innings], he can do that. He has been very good."
The left-hander entered in the fifth with the Blue Jays trailing, 3-1. First, he put Avisail Garcia in an 0-2 hole before striking him out on a 91.9 mph fastball just outside the zone. Pannone then got Brandon Lowe looking on a 92.2 mph fastball. Daniel Robertson went down looking on a 91.1 mph fastball for the final out.