The first man to strike out in two immaculate innings
In short: In the high-speed world of baseball, perfection is rare. But on June 15, 2022, Nathaniel Lowe became a historical footnote for a unique reason: he was the victim of two consecutive perfect innings by different pitchers in a single game—a first in Major League history.
Nathaniel Lowe’s journey to the MLB is a study in persistence. A multi-sport athlete who played upright bass in orchestra and jazz bands at Pope High School, he navigated several colleges before being selected by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 13th round of the 2016 draft. He spent years grinding through the minor leagues, eventually earning an All-Star Futures Game selection in 2018 after a dominant season where he hit .330 with 27 home runs.
Lowe's career is marked by statistical anomalies and rapid transitions. During a match against Houston Astros on 15 June 2022, he set a record as the initial athlete to suffer two immaculate innings within a single contest (delivered by Luis Garcia during the second and Phil Maton in the seventh). He also famously hit into a rare 3–6 triple play on August 22, 2022, an event that contributed to him being named AL Player of the Week.
Despite his individual accolades—including a Silver Slugger Award and a Gold Glove in 2023—Lowe has experienced significant roster volatility. He has been traded or signed by six different organizations (Rays, Rangers, Nationals, Red Sox, Reds, and Guardians) within a short span. This nomadic path highlights the precarious nature of professional baseball, where even elite performers can be designated for assignment following specific roster moves.
Interestingly, his professional identity was shaped by family. He was originally known as Nate Lowe until his mother requested he use 'Nathaniel' professionally after seeing a social media post. His father, David, followed a different path of service, choosing the U.S. Naval Academy over baseball to become a naval aviator and fighter pilot for 20 years.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Nathaniel Lowe
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