Soroka Shines in Arizona Debut Against Tigers

Michael Soroka delivered a memorable performance in his first outing for the Arizona Diamondbacks. The 28-year-old pitcher was instrumental in the team's 9-6 victory over the Detroit Tigers.

The game took place on Monday night at Chase Field. Soroka’s impressive start included a rare feat that etched his name into the franchise record books.

Achieving the Immaculate Inning

During the fifth inning, Soroka threw an immaculate inning, striking out three batters on just nine consecutive pitches. This remarkable achievement makes him only the fourth pitcher in Diamondbacks history to accomplish it.

The three batters Soroka retired consecutively were Javier Báez, Kerry Carpenter, and Gleyber Torres. He sealed the inning by blowing a 95 mph fastball past Torres for the final strikeout.

Pitcher Reacts to Rare Accomplishment

Soroka acknowledged the significance of the moment following the game. "It was pretty special," Soroka stated, as reported by MLB.com.

He elaborated on his mindset during that specific inning. "I think I’ve talked to you guys about not putting too much stock in results, but I think that's one that's worth celebrating," he said.

Soroka mentioned focusing on location against Torres, who he described as a passive hitter. "I tried to play it off, but started smiling on the field," he admitted.

Dominant Overall Performance and Career Context

Beyond the immaculate frame, Soroka pitched five shutout innings in the win. He tied his career high with 10 strikeouts while allowing only four hits.

Soroka signed a one-year, $7.5 million contract with the Diamondbacks during the offseason. He was previously an All-Star selection for the Atlanta Braves in 2019.

His career trajectory was significantly impacted by back-to-back Achilles injuries, causing him to miss most of the 2020 season and all of the 2021 and 2022 seasons. In recent years, he has played for the Chicago White Sox, Washington Nationals, and the Chicago Cubs.

Looking Ahead

The Diamondbacks will face the Tigers again on Tuesday for the second game of their three-game series. First pitch is scheduled for 9:40 p.m. ET.