A's prospect loses MiLB perfect game on 27th batter

Jharel Cotton just missed minor-league history.

The Oakland Athletics prospect, acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers in a deadline-day deal earlier this month, threw 8 2/3 perfect innings Tuesday in his second start for the Triple-A Nashville Sounds before losing his perfect game on a two-out triple by Round Rock's Doug Bernier.

Cotton completed the one-hit shutout by striking out the next batter, Drew Robinson. He finished the game with 12 strikeouts.

"I've calmed down a little bit, but in the moment, it was crazy to be a part of that, especially when I'm the one on the mound doing it," Cotton told reporters, according to MiLB.com's Josh Jackson. "It was kind of fun, having all my teammates behind me - that's just the best."

Moments earlier, Round Rock outfielder Kyle Kubitza was ejected for arguing from the Express dugout, and took his time exiting the field in an apparent attempt to ice Cotton as he looked to make history.

Cotton, the Athletics' No. 16 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, joined the organization as part of a trade that sent Rich Hill and Josh Reddick to the Dodgers. He's made quite the impression on his new bosses: Through two starts with Nashville, he's allowed just one run while striking out 17 and walking one in 15 innings.

"They got me for a reason, so I don't want to disappoint them," Cotton said. "I wanted to go out and show them that what I've got is playable, and I can pitch."

Had Cotton completed the perfect game, it would have been the fourth nine-inning perfect game in Pacific Coast League history dating to 1903. Two of the three PCL perfect games have been thrown by Nashville Sounds pitchers.

(Video courtesy: MiLB.com)