Sports·Feature

Tolle's immaculate first powers Red Sox past Royals

Red Sox rookie Payton Tolle struck out the side on nine pitches in the first inning, the eighth immaculate inning in Boston history, lifting Boston to a 4-1 win over Kansas City.

Published: September 14, 2026

Catch up on the essentials

Boston Red Sox left-hander Payton Tolle opened Sunday's rain-delayed series finale at Fenway Park by striking out Nick Loftin, Bobby Witt Jr. and Jac Caglianone on nine consecutive strikes, completing the eighth immaculate inning in Red Sox history.
The Red Sox grabbed a 1-0 lead on Caleb Durbin's second-inning solo homer and broke a 1-1 tie in the seventh when Roman Anthony lined a two-out RBI single.
Selected by Boston in the second round of the 2024 MLB Draft, Tolle made his major league debut in August 2025 and entered Sunday 9-6 with a 3.15 ERA and 159 strikeouts over 137 innings.

Selected from this article · 2026-09-14

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Tolle's immaculate first and six scoreless innings

Empty Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago captured from above, showcasing the lush green baseball field and seating areas.

Boston Red Sox left-hander Payton Tolle opened Sunday's rain-delayed series finale at Fenway Park by striking out Nick Loftin, Bobby Witt Jr. and Jac Caglianone on nine consecutive strikes, completing the eighth immaculate inning in Red Sox history. The 23-year-old needed just three minutes to dispatch Kansas City's leadoff trio, finishing Caglianone with a 97.9 mph fastball — his fastest pitch of the inning — after exchanging a smile with pitching coach Andrew Bailey from the dugout. Tolle carried that momentum through six shutout innings, allowing four hits and one walk while striking out seven, his second straight quality start.

Boston's late offense and a bullpen finish

The Red Sox grabbed a 1-0 lead on Caleb Durbin's second-inning solo homer and broke a 1-1 tie in the seventh when Roman Anthony lined a two-out RBI single. Willson Contreras, returning after missing 12 games with a left hamstring strain, and Adley Rutschman both scored in the eighth on a Trevor Story two-RBI single that padded the lead. Garrett Whitlock was credited with the win in relief, and Boston closed out a 4-1 victory to take the three-game series. The win moved the Red Sox to 82-68 as they continue their push for an American League postseason spot.

Where Tolle's feat ranks in Red Sox history

Tolle's first-inning immaculate inning is the first for Boston since Chris Sale did it against Minnesota on Aug. 26, 2021, and only the second to come in the opening frame in club history, after Pedro Martínez accomplished the same on May 18, 2002, against Seattle, also following a rain delay. He is the eighth Red Sox pitcher overall to record an immaculate inning.

Tolle's rookie-season arc and what's next

Selected by Boston in the second round of the 2024 MLB Draft, Tolle made his major league debut in August 2025 and entered Sunday 9-6 with a 3.15 ERA and 159 strikeouts over 137 innings. Boston continues its homestand with postseason-positioning games at Fenway this week.

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