New York Yankees pitcher Domingo Germán made history on Wednesday night as he pitched the first perfect game in Major League Baseball (MLB) since 2012 and the 24th perfect game in the league's history.
Germán demonstrated his exceptional skills by retiring every Oakland batter he faced during the Yankees' impressive 11-0 victory over the Athletics. The first perfect game of the year has been held since Félix Hernández's performance for the Seattle Mariners against the Tampa Bay Rays on August 15, 2012. Joining the Elite Group of Yankees
By pitching a perfect game, Germán joins an exclusive group of New York Yankees pitchers who have achieved this remarkable feat. He now joins a select club of players, including Don Larsen (1956), David Wells (1998), and David Cone (1999), whom the Yankees have had pitch flawless games. The accomplishment of Germán is the Yankees' thirteenth no-hitter in team history.With Germán's perfect game, the Yankees become the first franchise to have four perfect matches, surpassing the Chicago White Sox, who have achieved this milestone three times.
Germán also reached a significant career milestone during the game by earning his 500th career strikeout. His remarkable performance was characterized by efficiency and precision.
Throughout the game, Germán faced only two batters with a complete count. In the fourth inning, he fell behind Ryan Noda 3-1 but struck him out with consecutive curveballs. Germán again found himself at a three-ball count against Jonah Bride in the eighth inning. Undeterred, he threw three straight curves, inducing a groundout.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone commended Germán's exceptional performance, mentioning a previous no-hit bid Germán had in July 2021 that was spoiled in the eighth inning. Boone expressed his admiration, saying, "When he gets rolling like that, he's just so fun to watch at his craft because he's so good at commanding all his pitches.
The ninth inning witnessed a thrilling atmosphere as Germán approached the completion of his perfect game. With two quick outs, only one batter, Esteury Ruiz, stood between Germán and his place in history. When Ruiz grounded out to third baseman Josh Donaldson, the Yankees' dugout and bullpen erupted joyfully as Germán's teammates rushed to the mound to celebrate his remarkable achievement.
Germán's perfect game comes on the heels of a challenging period for the pitcher. Six days earlier, he endured a career-high 10-run game and served a 10-game suspension. However, Germán's exceptional performance is a testament to his resilience and determination to succeed.
The perfect game against the Athletics proved to be a memorable and uplifting moment for Germán, who had experienced the loss of a family member only two days prior. The cheering crowd throughout the game provided much-needed support, and Germán dedicated his exceptional performance to his late uncle, stating, "This game is a tribute to him. He would have been so happy.
In conclusion, Domingo Germán's perfect game is a remarkable achievement that places him among the elite pitchers in MLB history. His outstanding performance showcases the Yankees' enduring legacy of excellence and adds another chapter to the storied franchise's remarkable achievements.
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