SEATTLE - Two hits and a walk were all that separated Venezuelan right-handed pitcher Pablo López from throwing a perfect game over the weekend. On June 23, as López prepared for his 16th start of the season, very few expected the Venezuelan to go out and pitch eight scoreless innings at a high level.
It was the fifth time in López's career that he went for eight or more innings and the first time this season. The Minnesota Twins pitcher lost his bid for a perfect game on a two-out single in the sixth, but he nonetheless finished the game tying his career high with 14 strikeouts against the Athletics.
