A perfect game is something that every MLB pitcher dreams of. It was almost a reality for Atlanta Braves star Spencer Strider on Monday night against the Miami Marlins, but a brutal error put a screeching halt to his perfect game.
Strider dominated the Marlins on Monday night, getting through six innings of perfect pitching. However, first baseman Matt Olson ruined his chances of a perfect game by misplaying a ball at first base.
Marlins outfielder Jazz Chisholm led off the sixth inning and hit a ground ball to Olson. It was a pretty routine play, but the ball was bobbled by Olson and bounced away from him. Chisholm reached first base safely and the perfect game was no longer.
One of the many, many reasons that it’s so hard to throw a perfect game. Rough luck for Spencer Strider. ⚾️😬 pic.twitter.com/WSGemKjbgI
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) April 25, 2023
Perfect games are always a team effort where at some point the defense needs to step up. Unfortunately for Strider. Olson just couldn’t handle this ground ball.
Many around the MLB world took notice of this costly error and offered their take on social media.
Put Matt Olson in the No Fun Club with Yan Gomes. pic.twitter.com/WAWKzRN1ij
— Jeff Middleton (@jjmid04) April 25, 2023
Matt Olson made sure we would NOT be seeing history tonight in Atlanta! pic.twitter.com/SHwHklDS6U
— Devine Sports Gospel (@DevineGospel) April 25, 2023
To be fair to Matt Olson, he probably wasn’t expecting a ground ball seeing as Spencer Strider had struck everyone else out.
— Trent (@Trenciarte) April 25, 2023
Spencer Strider’s perfect game bid ends on Matt Olson error pic.twitter.com/uSQ8LLzlyR
— Main Team (@MainTeamSports) April 25, 2023
Another perfect game bid ruined by an error 😭 pic.twitter.com/mmkXoV4K7O
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) April 25, 2023
It was ruled an error, which ends the perfect game. However, the no-hitter was still intact for quite some time after this play. That was unfortunately ended as well in the eighth inning when Marlins second baseman Jean Segura hit a single to left field.
What a great pitch…to lose a no-hitter on. Geez. pic.twitter.com/bhhICRR501
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 25, 2023
It still ended up being a terrific start for Strider, who finished the game with eight innings pitched with 12 strikeouts and only two hits allowed.
The Braves came away with an 11-0 victory, but it has to feel like a gut punch for Strider to not come away with either a no-hitter or a perfect game after this terrific start.
About Reice Shipley
Reice Shipley is a staff writer for Comeback Media that graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Sports Media. He previously worked at Barrett Sports Media and is a fan of all things Syracuse sports.