Chicago White Sox pitcher Philip Humber became the 21st pitcher in major league baseball to throw a perfect game as he retired all 27 Seattle Mariners he faced in the Chicago White Sox’s 4-0 win on Saturday.
Humber completed the perfect game by striking out the Mariners’ Brendan Ryan on a 3-2 pitch out of the strike zone in the bottom of the ninth inning. Ryan checked his swing on the final pitch, but it was ruled a swing by the home plate umpire. White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski completed the out by throwing the ball down to first baseman Paul Konerko.
Humber was quickly mobbed by teammates and knocked down near the mound following the out. He received a standing ovation by fans as he walked off the field, and he saluted them by taking his hat and waving it.
“I mean, I can’t even put it into words,” Humber told Fox afterward. “I’m just so happy. There are so many good things happening right now. This just adds to the list. God is so good.”
Humber dedicated the performance to his wife Kristan.
Teammate Alexei Ramirez gave Humber a Gatorade bath during the Fox interview.
Humber accounted for the 27 outs with nine strikeouts, five groundouts and 13 flyouts.
The Philadelphia Phillies’ Roy Halladay was the last pitcher to throw a perfect game. He accomplished the feat against the Florida Marlins on May 29, 2010.
For the White Sox, Mark Buehrle was the last pitcher to have a perfect game. He was the 18th pitcher in history to throw one when he did so against the Tampa Bay Rays on July 23, 2009.
Charles Robertson is the only other White Sox pitcher to toss a perfect game. His came against the Detroit Tigers on April 30, 1922.
Saturday also marked the first time Humber pitched a complete game in the majors. He hadn’t gone further 7 2/3 innings in his first 29 starts. His previous longest no-hit bid came when he went 6 1/3 innings without allowing a hit against the New York Yankees on April 25, 2011.
Humber is a former No. 3 overall pick by the New York Mets in the 2004 amateur draft. He had Tommy John surgery in 2005. He was claimed off waivers by the White Sox from the Oakland Athletics on Jan. 18, 2011.