How "Perfect"? SEATTLE-Perfect.
That's the only way to describe Felix Hernandez's performance today, as the Mariners' ace threw the first perfect game in Seattle history.
All day, Hernandez relied on wicked movement on his pitches and a little defense behind him to frustrate Tampa Bay's hitters in the 1-0 victory and denied first base to all 27 batters he faced.
King Felix struck out 12.
(Click here to read The Seattle Times' recap)
After the last pitch of the game — a 2-2 called strike to Sean Rodriguez — Hernandez threw up his arms, yelled, then pointed to the sky before being mobbed by teammates.
"It was something special," Hernandez said. "I don't have any words to explain this."
Amazingly, it was the second perfect game thrown at Safeco Field this season. On April 21, Phillp Humber pitched one for the visiting Chicago White Sox.
This time, it was the Mariners celebrating.
It was the 23rd perfect game in Major League Baseball history, and it was also the fourth no-hitter in Mariners' history. The achievement was perceived as so momentous, even King County Executive Dow Constantine issued a press release on it.
"Today we saw a piece of baseball history here in King County," he said. "Congratulations to Felix Hernandez on pitching the 23rd perfect game in Major League Baseball history and the first in Seattle Mariners history. He was just awesome. He made us proud. Today he proved he truly is the King.”
The all-star — who worked his way up to the Mariners line-up after a stint with the Tacoma Rainiers — is a former Cy Young Award winner and, now, the owner of a masterful perfect game.
All hail King Felix.
