The Boston Red Sox defeat the Kansas City Royals 4-1 on Sunday, with starter Payton Tolle beginning the game with an immaculate inning—three strikeouts on nine pitches. Roman Anthony adds a key go-ahead hit, while the Red Sox also get offense from Caleb Durbin, who hits a solo home run, and from Trevor Story, who contributes a two-run single that swings the game.
The start of the game is delayed by rain. Both outlets note that Tolle’s performance is a rare milestone for the franchise, making him the first Red Sox pitcher to throw an immaculate inning to start a game since Hall of Famer Pedro Martinez did it on May 18, 2002. The Red Sox win the final two games of the three-game series, closing out the matchup with the same margin on the weekend.
