-
Jesse Rogers
CHICAGO — New Cubs reliever Andrew Kittredge skilled a variety of feelings within the span of lower than 24 hours, after he went from being booed off the mound Tuesday night time to throwing an immaculate inning Wednesday afternoon in opposition to the Cincinnati Reds.
Kittredge, 35, threw 9 pitches within the high of the seventh inning Wednesday, hanging out all three batters he confronted. It was the primary immaculate inning by a Cubs pitcher since Hayden Wesneski‘s in 2022.
It is the primary time Kittredge can recall throwing one.
“I used to be conscious of it after the second strikeout,” Kittredge stated following the Cubs’ 6-1 victory. “Fairly cool.”
Not solely did Kittredge strike out Austin Hays, Gavin Lux and Tyler Stephenson, however he did it utilizing the identical sequence of pitches.
“We went sinker, sinker, slider,” catcher Carson Kelly stated. “Sinker, sinker, slider. Sinker, sinker … slider? It was fairly cool to be part of that.”
Kelly paused for a second recalling the notion that perhaps he ought to change up that final pitch — however the slider did the trick as all three batters struck out swinging.
The second got here lower than a day after Kittredge — who was acquired from the Baltimore Orioles final week — took the loss after giving up 4 runs in 0.1 innings in opposition to the Reds. He was booed by the sold-out crowd after being pulled from the sport.
“I attempt to not learn into that,” Kittredge stated with a smile. “Hopefully you hear extra cheers than boos … I used to be not within the zone as a lot as I would wish to be (final night time). At this time I made a extra aware effort to be within the zone. It type of fell into place.”
Kittredge famous the boldness his supervisor confirmed in him by placing him again into a detailed recreation after blowing one. His immaculate inning got here with the Cubs main 2-0, earlier than they added on late within the contest to keep away from getting swept by Cincinnati.
“That is what being an enormous league reliever is about,” Craig Counsell stated. “Issues do not go your approach the night time earlier than and also you’re requested to return out and ship in the identical state of affairs and also you ship.
“I like that.”