Domingo German wrote his name in MLB and New York Yankees history books after throwing the perfect game on Wednesday against Oakland Athletics.
German, who was handed a ten-game suspension for violating the league's new policies on grip-enhancing substances last month, threw the 24th-ever perfect game in MLB history, retiring every Oakland batter in an 11-0 Yankees blowout victory. It has been a rollercoaster year after German's hefty punishment but he complete an incredible turnaround with a stunning performance.
The last MLB pitcher to achieve such a feat was Felix Hernandez 11 years ago for the Seattle Mariners against the Tampa Bay Rays. He was one of three to throw a perfect game that year, but the wait for another has now finally been ended by German.
"So exciting," German said on his achievement through a translator. "When you think about something very unique in baseball, not many people have an opportunity to pitch a perfect game. To accomplish something like this in my career is something that I'm going to remember forever."
German added: "That last inning was very different - very different. I felt an amount of pressure that I've never felt before. I'm trying to visualize what I want to execute there. At the same time, I don't want to miss. So much pressure, but yet so rewarding. The key there was not to overthrow.
"I was feeling the pressure in that inning but at the same time I wanted to not overthrow, keep that same focus from the first inning, understand the lanes of attack we were using during the game, and keep executing."
The 30-year-old right-hander dismantled the A's, who have the worst record in the majors at 21-61. "It was just so fun to watch him do that and go to work. We’ve seen him flirt with outings like that over time,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “When he gets rolling like that he’s just so fun to watch at his craft because he’s so good at commanding all of his pitches. His curveball was great tonight, but because his changeup and his fastball were good, too, it made that curveball even more special.”
Boone added: "This has not been an easy week or time for him. For him to go out there and paint that masterpiece was really just a lot of fun just to be able to watch.”
German's perfect game was the 13th no-hitter in New York Yankees history, following on from the likes of Don Larsen in the 1956 World Series, David Wells, and David Cone.
“I’m just happy for Domingo. He’s had a rough last couple starts and he’s kind of been dragging a little bit,” Yankees catcher Kyle Higashioka said. “I kind of always felt like of anyone, he has a really good chance to do something like this and for it all to come together tonight is just amazing.”
