Yankees' Domingo German throws 24th perfect game in MLB history
New York Yankees right-hander Domingo German dominated the Oakland Athletics on Wednesday night to become only the 24th pitcher in Major League Baseball history to pitch a perfect game.
German had nine strikeouts and threw 99 pitches in New York's 11-0 victory. He's the first Yankees pitcher to throw a perfect game since David Cone in 1999 and first MLB hurler to accomplish the feat since Seattle Mariners right-hander Felix Hernandez in 2012.
Germán. HISTORY! pic.twitter.com/ktEZbxZNIo
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) June 29, 2023
"So exciting when you think about something very unique in baseball," German said through a translator in an interview with YES Network's Meredith Marakovits. "Not many people have an opportunity to pitch a perfect game. To accomplish something like this in my career is something I'm going to remember forever."
Yankees pitchers with perfect games
Pitcher | Year |
---|---|
Don Larsen | 1956 (World Series) |
David Wells | 1998 |
David Cone | 1999 |
Domingo German | 2023 |
The 30-year-old kept the Athletics off balance all night. German used his curveball very effectively, inducing 12 whiffs with the pitch.
Cool nugget from @ESPNStatsInfo: Domingo Germán is only the second pitcher since 1912 to enter an eventual perfect game with an ERA over 5.00.
— Alden González (@Alden_Gonzalez) June 29, 2023
The other: David Wells, 1998.
German had struggled over his past two outings, allowing 15 earned runs on 15 hits across 5 1/3 innings in starts against the Boston Red Sox and Seattle Mariners.
He's the first pitcher in history to record a perfect game after allowing 10 or more runs in his previous start, according to MLB.com's Sarah Langs.
Domingo Germán: Not much I can say really. pic.twitter.com/9GM2XBmtV6
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) June 29, 2023
It's been an eventful season so far for German, as he was suspended for 10 games for using a sticky substance on his hand during a start in May against the Toronto Blue Jays.
German dedicated the performance to his uncle, who he said passed away earlier in the week.
"This game is a tribute to him," German said. "He would have been so happy."