On Tuesday, Cubs reliever Andrew Kittredge, brought in from the Orioles at the MLB trade deadline, erased any good feeling from the two scoreless outings that began his North Side career by imploding, allowing four hits and four runs to help the Cubs waste a gem from Shota Imanaga, who had gone 6.0 innings, allowing three hits and one run with seven strikeouts.
On Wednesday, he clawed back some of that initial good will, which has been in short supply for GM Jed Hoyer after what was a widely panned deadline day of dealing.
Kittredge did something only 120 players in league history, including six Cubs (per MLB.com), have ever done: He threw an immaculate inning.
Andrew Kittredge Strikes out 3 on 9 Pitches
For the uninitiated, an immaculate inning is when a pitcher not only has a 1-2-3 inning, but does so with three strikeouts. And not only three strikeouts, but three strikeouts on nine pitches–all strikes, no balls. Kittredge did it in the seventh inning, facing the heart of the Reds order in a 2-0 ball game.
Kittredge fanned Austin Hays, Gavin Lux and Tyler Stephenson in succession, all striking out swinging on the third pitch.
For Kittredge, the inning was especially notable because of the timing, and he was grateful to manager Craig Counsell for putting him back no the mound one day after his struggle on Tuesday.
“That was great,” Kittredge said. “You always want to just get back out there as quick as you can. I really appreciate that from Couns’, just having faith in me to put me back in that situation. Just good to get back out there, just so you don’t have to stew on it too long.”
Cubs Get Another Strong Outing From Cade Horton
The Cubs went on to win, 6-1, and also of import was the performance of rookie Cade Horton, who went 5.2 innings on the day, allowing no runs and only two hits with six strikeouts. Horton is now 6-3 with a 3.18 ERA this season, and has now logged four straight scoreless outings, not allowing a run in his last 23.2 innings.
Horton was one of the most talked-about young players for the Cubs at the trade deadline, and their refusal to move him is one reason they could not get a bigger deal done a week ago.
Horton is rewarding them.
“It means a lot,” Horton said, via The Athletic. “I feel like I just wanna go out there, do my job and help this team win. We got a really good group in there. Just being able to do my part, whatever’s asked of me, is the big thing.”
Cubs Pitcher Nails Down Rare Feat 1 Day After Disaster