Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Felix Hernandez pitched the first perfect game of his career, as he shutout the Tampa Bay Rays 1-0 in a pitchers' duel. Hernandez was able to strike out 12 Rays batters in the process of pitching this gem. There have been two times previously during Hernandez's career where he came close to getting a no-hitter. The first was back in 2007, against the Boston Red Sox. He held on through seven innings, but ultimately he ended up with a one-hitter. The other time was against the Texas Rangers in 2010, where he also came close but the no-no was broken up during the eighth inning.
Even with the perfect game, the Rays were never out of it, as their own starting pitcher Jeremy Hellickson went seven innings and allowed just five hits along with the one run that cost them the game. The run was a RBI single by Mariners designated hitter Jesus Montero, which scored Brendan Ryan. His reliever was Kyle Farnsworth, who continued the pitchers duel and did not allow any runs in his only inning.
This perfect game for Hernandez is only the 23rd in the history of Major League Baseball, and happens to be the third of this season. Philip Humber of the Chicago White Sox threw a perfect game against the Mariners back on April 21, and Matt Cain of the Giants had a perfect game of his own on June 13 of this year.
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