Publix Cookie Lifetime Achievment Award

Congratulations to Chris Mason of the Montgomery Biscuits, the Devil Rays AA affiliate. On Tuesday he saw three batters, threw three strikes to each, and struck them all out. Chris Mason pitched an immaculate inning. Here at The Immaculate Inning, we honor those who throw immaculate innings at all levels of professional ball. Congratulations Chris Mason, you are hereby awarded the first Publix Cookie Lifetime Achievment Award (still not sponsored by Publix).

More on Chris Mason: Drafted in the second round (56th overall) in 2005 by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Mason is a right-hander with a low-90s fastball, a hard slurve, and a decent changeup. In three years at UNC-Greensboro, Mason starred both on the mound (striking out more than 9 per 9 innings) and in the field (hitting around .315/.360/.450 for his career) as a two way player. The Devil Rays had him as a reliever to start his career and then slowly converted him to a starter, which worked well in the beginning of 2006. The wheels then fell off for Mason and he finished the season at A+ Visalia with a 5.02 ERA.

This season, though, has gotten off to a great start. The immaculate inning game raises Mason's record to 2-0, and he has struck out 20 in 23 innings, with only three walks. As we have a soft spot for all immaculate innings, we will be following Mason's career with great interest, especially if he gets promoted to the AAA Durham Bulls, where I may even watch him live. Congrats again, Chris.

~mehmattski