Yankees pitcher Domingo Germán went into Wednesday’s game against the Oakland Athletics coming off two of his worst starts of the season. But that’s the magical thing about baseball: Your fortunes can change in an instant.
And on this night, Germán put together a game that he’ll remember forever.
Needing just 99 pitches, Germán became the 24th player in Major League history to throw a perfect game. It was the first perfect game since Felix Hernandez’s historic performance in 2012 and the fourth perfect game in Yankees history.
Where several pitchers have come close to perfection in recent years only to allow a baserunner in the eighth or ninth inning, Germán made it look easy in the ninth in Oakland.
27 up. 27 down.
The 24th perfect game in AL/NL history belongs to Domingo Germán. pic.twitter.com/SyUJb0cKm6
— MLB (@MLB) June 29, 2023
The final out of the game came on a first-pitch breaking ball to Esteury Ruiz. Germán drew two outs in the ninth off of first-pitch swings in at-bats. After the 11-0 win, Germán offered an emotional reflection on the accomplishment and dedicated the game to his uncle who recently passed away.
"So exciting 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 I'm going to remember forever."
– Domingo Germán to @M_Marakovits after his perfect game pic.twitter.com/fRkSy0tSDl
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) June 29, 2023
MLB fans were also in awe of the historic performance.
This was how Twitter reacted
Baseball is a hell of game.
Domingo German
May 16: Suspended for a banned substance.
June 22: Beat up for 10 runs in last start.
June 29: Just the 24th Perfect Game in MLB History.— Tim Micallef (@tim_micallef) June 29, 2023
Don’t have feelings for either team, but wow…this was fun! Chills! Thank goodness for sports. Full of love, heartbreak and lessons, just like life.
Congrats to #DomingoGerman. https://t.co/OwXsVp8MZC— Allison Ratzlaff (@AlliRat7) June 29, 2023
Not a Yankees guy at all but this was pretty awesome to watch from the 5th inning on https://t.co/deDbiKuejN
— zach (@ZKiedaisch) June 29, 2023
So happy I watched this live. Baseball Immortality https://t.co/FLkHPDBnAv
— Charlie (@Th3BrownMan) June 29, 2023
A 99 pitch perfect game is insane https://t.co/N9WEtF3vTK
— Evan Huber (@evanhuber46) June 29, 2023
I could watch this every second of every minute for the rest of my life https://t.co/mgaJF4KDos
— V Ø Z H D (44-36) (@vozhdnc) June 29, 2023
Chills https://t.co/MW63XpGatr
— Austin N. Wharton (@AustinNWharton) June 29, 2023
These moments remind us why baseball is so special. What a moment! Congrats to Domingo German and the team. https://t.co/SFPidZfskL
— Bailey Rose (@BaileyRoseBoyle) June 29, 2023
Domingo German just threw the 24th PERFECT GAME in MLB history. Only took 99 pitches. UNBELIEVABLE pic.twitter.com/o4VmkqFkaT
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) June 29, 2023
