Fresh off two of the worst starts of his career, Domingo German delivered the definitive game of his life.
The right-hander faced the minimum on Wednesday, twirling the fourth perfect game in Yankees history in an 11-0 win over the lowly A’s. German did so with dazzling efficiency, requiring just 99 pitches while striking out nine in Oakland.
German, mourning the recent death of an uncle, had to overcome two lengthy delays to achieve perfection, as the Yankees’ six-run fifth took 24 minutes and forced German to stay loose in the bullpen. More stoppage occurred in the seventh when A’s reliever Yacksel Rios left with an injury.
But German, leaning heavily on his heater, a devastating curveball and Kyle Higashioka’s brilliant game-calling behind the plate, waited Oakland out and etched his name into the history books. Only 23 other men have been perfect, including the Yankees’ David Cone in 1999, David Wells in 1998 and Don Larsen in the 1956 World Series.
The Yankees’ last no-hitter came on May 19, 2021, when Corey Kluber accomplished the feat against the Rangers.
While German dealt, Anthony Rizzo delivered the sparkling defensive play that perfectos and no-hitters always seem to feature. The first baseman hit the ground in the seventh inning when Seth Brown made solid contact on a ball down the line. Rizzo came up with the ball and threw to German, who covered first for the out and thus deprived the A’s of their best shot at a hit.
German then found himself in a rare three-ball count with two out in the eighth, but he induced a groundout from Jonah Bride before cruising through the ninth. The Yankees quickly embraced the starter and posed for pictures afterward.
Wednesday’s gem put German in limited company shared by legends such as Cy Young, Sandy Koufax, Catfish Hunter and Randy Johnson, as well as pitchers who more resembled one-hit wonders, like Philip Humber and Charlie Robertson. The night also marked a spectacular turnaround for German, who allowed 15 earned runs over his previous two starts and heard boos while leaving the Yankee Stadium mound his last time out.
German wasn’t guaranteed a spot in the Yankees’ season-opening rotation, but injuries paved a way for him. Despite his recent rough outings and a 10-game sticky stuff suspension, he’s been the Yankees’ second-best starter this season behind staff ace Gerrit Cole.
German now owns a 4.54 ERA this season, as well as the Yankees’ most memorable pitching performance.
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