Mariners Prospect Hoppe Throws Immaculate Inning

Triple-A Tacoma pitcher seals win with rare perfect frame

Apr. 8, 2026 at 3:27am

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An abstract expressionist painting featuring bold, energetic brushstrokes in neon colors that capture the intense motion and energy of a baseball pitcher in the midst of delivering a pitch.A dazzling display of power and precision as a Mariners pitching prospect dominates with an immaculate inning.Tacoma Today

Mariners pitching prospect Alex Hoppe recorded an immaculate inning, striking out the side on just 9 pitches, to seal a victory for the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers. Hoppe's dominant performance came in the late innings of the game, preserving the Rainiers' lead.

Why it matters

Immaculate innings are one of the rarest feats in baseball, with only a few dozen occurring in Major League history. Hoppe's achievement demonstrates his exceptional control and stuff, which could help propel him to the big leagues with the Mariners in the near future.

The details

In the bottom of the 8th inning, Hoppe struck out the side on just 9 pitches, with each batter going down swinging. This is only the 4th immaculate inning recorded in Tacoma Rainiers franchise history, and the first since 2018.

  • The immaculate inning occurred in the bottom of the 8th inning on April 7, 2026.

The players

Alex Hoppe

A right-handed pitching prospect in the Mariners minor league system, currently playing for the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers.

Tacoma Rainiers

The Triple-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners, based in Tacoma, Washington.

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What they’re saying

“That was as dominant an inning as you'll see at this level. Alex was absolutely dealing out there.”

— Rainiers Manager

What’s next

Hoppe's performance will likely earn him strong consideration for a call-up to the major league Mariners roster in the coming weeks or months.

The takeaway

Hoppe's immaculate inning showcases the high-level pitching talent emerging from the Mariners' farm system, and is an exciting development for the future of the franchise.