Miami Marlins right-hander Eury Pérez was removed from Sunday’s game against the Oakland Athletics after seven perfect innings, a decision manager Clayton McCullough attributed to the pitcher’s monitored recovery from Tommy John surgery and recent hamstring issues. Despite Pérez retiring all 21 batters he faced on 92 pitches, the Marlins’ bullpen surrendered the perfect game, no-hitter, and shutout immediately in the eighth inning before Miami ultimately secured a 9-8 victory.
Why the Marlins Pulled a Perfect Game Bid
The decision to lift Pérez after seven innings stemmed from organizational caution regarding his workload. Pérez underwent Tommy John surgery in 2024 and missed time earlier this season with a hamstring injury. Sunday’s outing marked only his third start since returning to the rotation.
"Going into this game, 90 plus a batter was a pitch count that I felt comfortable with him coming back off the time on the IL," McCullough told reporters following the game. The manager noted that while he felt the "heartstrings pulling" to keep the starter in, he prioritized the long-term health of the pitcher and the team’s broader competitive goals.
Statistical context supports the organization’s conservative approach. Over his 53-start major league career, Pérez has never recorded a complete game and has only finished the seventh inning two other times. His 92-pitch count on Sunday represented one of his highest workloads since his return, exceeding his recent outings of 68 pitches on June 24 and 86 pitches on June 30.
The Bullpen Collapse and Final Outcome
The transition to the bullpen proved costly for the Marlins. Reliever Lake Bachar entered the eighth inning to replace Pérez and immediately walked the first batter, ending the perfect game bid. The Athletics subsequently scored five runs against Bachar without recording an out, erasing the lead and shifting the momentum of the game.
Despite the collapse, the Marlins’ offense and closer Pete Fairbanks held on for a 9-8 win. The victory extended Miami's winning streak to three games and completed a series sweep in Sacramento.
Historical Context of Marlins No-Hitters
While the Marlins have recorded six no-hitters in franchise history, they have never had a perfect game.
- Al Leiter (1996)
- Kevin Brown (1997)
- A.J. Burnett (2001)
- Anibal Sánchez (2006)
- Henderson Alvarez (2013)
- Edinson Volquez (2017)
There have been 24 perfect games and 327 no-hitters in league history. The last individual no-hitter was recorded by Blake Snell on August 2, 2024, while the last perfect game was achieved by Domingo Germán on June 28, 2023.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Eury Pérez reach a career high in innings?
No. While seven innings tied his career-best length, he has reached the seventh inning only four times in his career.
How many pitches did Pérez throw?
Pérez threw 92 pitches, which the team cited as the limit for his current return-to-play schedule.
What is the status of the Marlins in the standings?
Following the sweep, the Marlins hold a 49-42 record, placing them in a virtual tie for the third National League wild-card position.