2024 may be another “wait ’til next year” season for the Chicago White Sox, but the team had one bright spot this week when pitcher Michael Kopech became the first South Side player to do so in 100 years.
Kopech pitched a flawless game on Wednesday, becoming the first Red Sox pitcher to do so since 1923.
The No. 34 pitched a record-breaking inning in the bottom of the ninth inning against the Minnesota Twins in the first game of a doubleheader.
A perfect inning is when a pitcher strikes out three consecutive batters using just nine pitches.
Nine pitches. Nine strikes. Game over.
Michael Kopech pitches his first perfect inning of the season!
(MLB x LoanDepot) pic.twitter.com/VH1RgXpl1D
— MLB (@MLB) July 10, 2024
The three players Kopech whiffed with for the Minnesota Twins were Brooks Lee, Matt Wallner and Max Kepler.
This marks the 116th shutout in MLB history, making Kopech’s achievement rare. It’s only the second time a White Sox pitcher has received the accolade. The last and first time a White Sox pitcher pitched a shutout was Sloppy Thurston on August 22, 1923.
The last time an MLB pitcher threw it was Johan Oviedo of the Pittsburgh Pirates on May 24 of last year.
according to Yahoo SportsHere’s a summary of Kopech’s pitch:
- 97.3 mph fastball (foul)
- 90.1 mph cutter (foul)
- 100.1 mph fastball (strike)
- 98.4 mph fastball (strikeout)
- 91.5mph cutter (foul)
- 100.5 mph fastball (strikeout)
- 91.1 mph cutter (strikeout)
- 90.0 mph cutter (called a strike)
- 100.1 mph fastball (strikeout)
This should be a welcome achievement for Kopech, as he struggled and never reached his full potential in professional baseball: He continues to throw a blistering fastball, but has control issues, not to mention a slew of injuries.
Follow Warner Todd Huston on Facebook: facebook.com/Warner.Todd.Hustonor the Society of Truth Warner Todd Houston
