Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Umpire Spoils Galarraga's Bid for Perfect Game

Detroit Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga was one out away from throwing the third perfect game in the space of a month and the second in the past five days.

All that stood between Galarraga and perfection was Cleveland Indians shortstop Jason Donald. The rookie hit a weak groundball to Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera who tossed it to Galarraga who covered the bag at first for the final out. Only first base umpire Jim Joyce called Donald safe.

Replays show that Donald was nowhere near the bag when the ball hit Galarraga's glove. Galarraga settled for one-hit shutout and a 3-0 victory over the Tribe.

Tigers manager Jim Leyland angrily confronted Joyce as did several of Galarraga's teammates.

When Joyce saw the replay he went on radio and admitted his error. He would later contact Galarraga and apologize for costing him a perfect game. I guess Joyce didn't want another Milt Pappas-Bruce Froemming feud. Neither did Galarraga who said of Joyce, "Nobody's perfect."

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