Red Sox’s Payton Tolle Makes History With Immaculate Inning
NESN • • sports
Key Points:
- Payton Tolle threw an immaculate inning for the Boston Red Sox on Sunday, striking out all three Kansas City Royals batters on nine consecutive strikes in the first inning at Fenway Park.
- Tolle struck out Nick Loftin, Bobby Witt Jr., and Jac Caglianone with seven swinging strikes and one called strike, allowing only a foul ball as contact.
- Despite a rain delay before the game, Tolle dominated the Royals' top lineup, throwing first-pitch strikes to all three batters and generating eight swings and misses in the inning.
- The 23-year-old left-hander, who debuted in August 2025, became the first Red Sox pitcher to record an immaculate inning since Chris Sale in 2021, highlighting his rapid rise as a key part of Boston's rotation.
- Tolle entered the game with a 9-6 record, a 3.15 ERA, and 159 strikeouts this season, reinforcing his importance to the Red Sox as they compete for a postseason spot.
