Ump Jim Joyce's botched call robs Tigers pitcher of perfection
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DETROIT (Reuters) - An umpire's blown call on what would have been the final out of the ball game cost a Detroit Tigers pitcher the chance to record Major League Baseball's third perfect game in less than a month.
After retiring 26 straight batters, Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga made a play at first base that should have been the final out of the game, but the umpire ruled that the Cleveland Indians baserunner was safe.
"I just cost that kid a perfect game." first-base umpire Jim Joyce said. "I was convinced he beat the throw until the replay. It was the biggest call of my career."
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Galarraga went on to get the next batter out and finish the 3-0 victory with three strikeouts.
Had the blown call gone Galarraga's way, the Venezuelan pitcher would have recorded the third perfect game in a season just over two months old.
It would have also been an unlikely occurrence for the 28-year-old pitcher considering he was not in the rotation a few weeks ago.
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Still, Galarraga was sympathetic to the umpire immediately after the game and even offered a hug to the umpire who apologized for the call.
Oakland Athletics pitcher Dallas Braden tossed a perfect game on May 9 and Roy Halladay of the Philadelphia Phillies achieved the feat on May 29.
(Writing by Jahmal Corner in Los Angeles; Editing by Frank Pingue)