A year ago around this time, Philip Humber of the Chicago White Sox nearly pitched a no-hitter against the New York Yankees. He did not allow a hit to the Bronx Bombers for the first 6 1/3 innings of a game at Yankee Stadium.
Nearly a full calendar year after his great performance in the Bronx, Humber has thrown the third perfect game and eighteenth no-hitter in Chicago White Sox history. He did it on a beautiful day in Seattle with the roof open at Safeco Field.
The game could not have gone any better for Humber. He went down 3-0 against Michael Saunders to start the ninth inning but fought back for a strikeout. He then quickly got John Jaso to fly out to right fielder Alex Rios for the second out of the inning.
The final out of the perfect game came against pinch-hitter Brendan Ryan. As some fans booed and others cheered as loud as they could, Ryan sent Humber to a full count. He fouled off the first 3-2 pitch before striking out on a checked swing in the dirt. The ball bounced away and catcher A.J. Pierzynski picked it up to throw to first baseman Paul Konerko to complete the 21st perfect game in history.
The 28-year-old Humber, out of Texas, was mobbed by his teammates near the mound and given a cool shower by shortstop Alexei Ramirez in celebration. Chicago won the game 4-0 to improve their record to 8-6 in this young season.
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