The New York Yankees faced off against the Oakland Athletics on Wednesday, and Yankees starting pitcher Domingo Germán stole the show by becoming just the 24th pitcher in the history of the MLB to throw a perfect game.
Germán came into the game incredibly cold, allowing 15 combined earned runs in his last two starts. He failed to make it out of the fourth inning in either start.
It turns out a matchup against the 21-60 Athletics was exactly what the doctor ordered. He thoroughly dominated the Athletics lineup all night long, striking out nine Oakland hitters through eight innings.
Every pitcher dreams of throwing a perfect game, and it was clearly in sight as Germán entered the ninth inning. He completed the historic outing by forcing A’s outfielder Esteury Ruiz to ground out to third, followed by an excellent call of the play from YES Network’s Ryan Ruocco.
“Grounded to third, Donaldson has it. There it is, perfection for Domingo Germán! Domingo Germán has thrown the 24th perfect game in baseball history.”
Domingo Germán has thrown the first MLB perfect game since 2012!
Ryan Ruocco on the Yankees call for YES Network. ⚾️🎙️ pic.twitter.com/vv4iHoSRO1
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) June 29, 2023
Meanwhile, Athletics broadcaster Dallas Braden, a former pitcher who also threw a perfect game back in 2010, also provided some great insight on the call after the final out.
“From the 1st pitch of the ballgame, Domingo Germán showed you things were working well. Fastball, curveball, changeup, everything was on its best behavior tonight for Domingo Germán.”
Dallas Braden, who threw a perfect game in 2010, weighs in on Domingo Germán's performance.
"From the 1st pitch of the ballgame, Domingo Germán showed you things were working well. Fastball, curveball, changeup, everything was on its best behavior tonight for Domingo Germán." pic.twitter.com/kPDAFvAZXY
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) June 29, 2023
It was truly an awesome moment to watch, and the MLB world praised Germán for the special outing.
The 24th Perfect Game in MLB History
It Belongs to Domingo German pic.twitter.com/bPQtb9gbmf
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) June 29, 2023
DOMINGO GERMAN THROWS A PERFECT GAME 🔥
Only the 24th perfect game in MLB history.
(via @Sportsnet)pic.twitter.com/1tzpJIs93i
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 29, 2023
27 up. 27 down.
The 24th perfect game in AL/NL history belongs to Domingo Germán. pic.twitter.com/SyUJb0cKm6
— MLB (@MLB) June 29, 2023
Yankees right-hander Domingo Germán has thrown the 24th perfect game in MLB history, shutting down the Oakland A’s in an 11-0 drubbing. Germán needed only 99 pitches and struck out nine. In his last start a week ago, Germán allowed 10 runs to Seattle. Baseball is a weird sport.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) June 29, 2023
Yankees who’ve thrown a perfect game:
• Don Larsen ‘56
• David Wells ‘98
• David Cone ‘99
• Domingo German ‘23Welcome to the club Domingo pic.twitter.com/ROuTm7LEUa
— ZT (@NY_EvilEmpire) June 29, 2023
The last perfect game in the MLB came from former Seattle Mariners ace Felix Hernandez, who did so in 2012. Four other Yankees pitchers have accomplished the rare feat, the most recent coming from David Cone back in 1999. This also breaks the record for the most perfect games coming from one team.
Domingo Germán is the fourth Yankee in history to throw a perfect game and the first since David Cone on July 18, 1999 pic.twitter.com/tKtMDvUElX
— Talkin' Yanks (@TalkinYanks) June 29, 2023
It could also be a great precursor for the rest of the season for the Yankees. Every season that a Yankees pitcher has thrown a perfect game, they have won the World Series.
