A Perfect King: Felix Hernandez Throws Perfect Game

Seattle Mariners pitcher “King” Felix Hernandez threw a perfect game Wednesday against the Tampa Bay Rays, striking out five hitters over the final two frames of a 1-0 victory at Safeco Field.

It was the first perfect game in the Mariners’ 35-year history and the fourth no-hitter for the franchise. It was the third perfect a game of the season and the 23rd perfecto in MLB history.

“Oh man, I don’t have any words to explain this,” Hernandez told the crows afterward. “… I had to throw one. I’ve been working so hard for you guys.”

This is becoming quite a season for MLB pitchers at Safeco. In April in Seattle, Chicago White Sox hurler Philip Humber threw a perfect game against the Mariners. Matt Cain also threw a no hitter this year in the National League.

But on this day, it was the Mariners mobbing the pitcher at the end of the game after Hernandez struck out 12 and retired all 27 batters he faced.

A look at Hernandez’s line from the game:

Pitcher IP H R ER BB SO HR PC-ST ERA Felix Hernandez(W, 11-5) 9.0 0 0 0 0 12 0 113-77 2.60 Totals 9.0 0 0 0 0 12 0 113-77 First-pitch strikes/Batters faced: Hernandez 16/27 Called strikes-Swinging strikes-Foul balls-In Play strikes: Hernandez 18-26-18-15 Ground Balls-Fly Balls: Hernandez 8-7 Game Scores: Hernandez 99

With the win, Hernandez moved to 11-5 on the season, dropping his ERA to 2.60.

MLB No-Hitters DATE PITCHER TEAM OPPONENT SCORE LEAGUE NOTES 8/15/2012 Felix Hernandez SEA TB 1-0 AL Perfect Game 6/13/2012 Matt Cain SF HOU 10-0 NL Perfect Game 6/8/2012 Kevin Millwood (6 inn.) SEA LAD 1-0 AL Combined + 5 relievers 6/1/2012 Johan Santana NYM STL 8-0 NL 5/2/2012 Jered Weaver LAA MIN 9-0 AL 4/21/2012 Philip Humber CHW SEA 4-0 AL Perfect Game About BallHyped