Diamondbacks Reliever Justin Martinez Throws Immaculate Inning Against Rangers

The Arizona Diamondbacks bullpen added another rare achievement to the franchise record book on Friday night. Hard-throwing reliever Justin Martinez threw an immaculate inning against the Texas Rangers in the sixth, striking out three straight batters on nine pitches.

The 25-year-old right-hander made quick work of the Rangers lineup, needing only nine pitches to retire Wyatt Langford, Evan Carter and Jake Burger in order. Martinez generated one foul ball, three called strikes and five swinging strikes, with his fastball touching 102.6 mph.

Key facts

The immaculate inning is the fifth in Diamondbacks history since the franchise joined MLB in 1998. Michael Soroka also accomplished the feat earlier this season on March 30, making 2026 the first season in which Arizona has recorded multiple immaculate innings.

Martinez’s journey back

Martinez missed significant time over the previous two seasons due to Tommy John surgery, a major reconstructive elbow procedure that typically sidelines pitchers for 12 to 18 months. He recently returned from the injured list and has been effective in limited action.

Across eight relief appearances this season, Martinez has not allowed an earned run. His command and velocity have been encouraging signs for a Diamondbacks bullpen that has relied on him as a high-leverage option when healthy.

What an immaculate inning means

An immaculate inning occurs when a pitcher strikes out all three batters faced in a half-inning on exactly nine pitches. It is one of the rarest feats in baseball, requiring precision, velocity and a bit of luck.

According to official MLB records, there have been fewer than 120 immaculate innings in major league history since the modern era began. The feat is tracked separately from perfect games or no-hitters because it requires strikeout efficiency rather than simply preventing baserunners.

Context for the 2026 Diamondbacks

The Diamondbacks entered September in the thick of the National League playoff race, and bullpen depth has been a key factor in their push. Martinez’s clean performance against a Rangers lineup that features several dangerous hitters provides Arizona with another reliable arm for the stretch run.

Manager Torey Lovullo has used Martinez in both setup and middle-relief roles this season, and outings like Friday night reinforce why the organization invested in his recovery from elbow surgery.

The Rangers, meanwhile, are also competing for a postseason berth in the American League. Langford, Carter and Burger are all part of a young core that Texas is building around, though Martinez made them look overmatched in that sixth inning.

Historical note

Soroka’s immaculate inning earlier this season gave the Diamondbacks a share of the MLB lead for the feat in 2026. Friday’s performance by Martinez gives Arizona two in one season for the first time.

The only other franchise with multiple immaculate innings in 2026 through mid-September is the Seattle Mariners, who also have two. The full list of Diamondbacks immaculate innings includes:

• Michael Soroka (March 30, 2026)
• Justin Martinez (Sept. 11, 2026)
• Three others from previous seasons dating to 1998

What to watch

Martinez is expected to remain in the Diamondbacks bullpen for the remainder of the regular season. His velocity and swing-and-miss stuff make him a candidate for high-leverage innings in any potential postseason series.

The Diamondbacks and Rangers continue their series this weekend at Chase Field.

Source: Sportsnet MLB – https://www.sportsnet.ca/mlb/article/diamondbacks-justin-martinez-records-immaculate-inning-vs-rangers/