San Francisco Giants secured a second World Series title in three years

 

San Francisco Giants secured a second World Series title in three years

 

Giants complete sweep to beat Tigers and secure second World Series in three years

 

The San Francisco Giants secured a second World Series title in three years on Sunday night, defeating the Detroit Tigers 4-3 in 10 innings at Comerica Park to seal a four-game sweep in the best-of-seven series.

Detroit headed into game four looking to become the first team in World Series history to overturn a 3-0 series deficit, San Francisco having dominated the first three games.

The Tigers produced by far their best account of the series in forcing the game to extra innings before the Giants got over the line, Marco Scutaro singling home the tie-breaking run in the 10th inning before Sergio Romo closed out the win.

Big win: The Giants are improbable champions after spending most of October battling against elimination

Winning feeling: San Francisco Giants general manager Brian Sabean carries the World Series Trophy

Miguel Cabrera’s two-run homer in the third inning had handed the Tigers the lead for the first time in the series, the Triple Crown winner’s blast putting his side 2-1 up after San Francisco had gone 1-0 ahead on an RBI triple from Brandon Belt.

But Buster Posey stepped up three innings later with a two-run homer of his own to get the Giants back in front.

Delmon Young responded with a solo shot to make it 3-3 in the bottom of the sixth on the first pitch from Matt Cain, but that was as good as it got for Detroit.

Power players: The Giants clinched their second World Series title in three years

Let the celebrations begin: San Francisco Giants manager Bruce Bochy holds the Commissioner's Trophy

Scutaro, in settling the contest with the go-ahead single with two outs in the 10th, became the first player in 15 years to win the World Series with an extra-innings hit.

He struggled for words soon after the game was all over, telling Fox Sports: ‘I don’t know what to say right now. We just won the World Series! It’s hard to explain. It’s priceless.'

Reflecting on the Giants’ tricky path to glory - they won six elimination games in the post-season - he added: ‘That’s what makes it so special - the way we did it. We were always against the wall. We just came through the first series, the second series... and now we’ve swept the Tigers.’

Victors: The San Francisco Giants celebrate on the mound after sweeping the Detroit Tigers to win the World Series on Sunday

Losing control: Detroit Tigers' Austin Jackson loses his bat during the seventh inning

After winning 8-3 in game one at AT&T Park and then posting consecutive shutouts to take command of the series, Posey admitted game four had been by far the toughest test.

'Tonight was a battle,' he said on Fox Sports. 'Tonight was a fitting way for us to end it.

'Those guys played hard - they didn’t stop. It’s an unbelievable feeling.'

We've done: San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Sergio Romo celebrates after the Giants defeated the Detroit Tigers in Game 4 to win the MLB World Series

Tears of joy: Pablo Sandoval celebrates with a teammate

Closer Romo played down his role in seeing out the victory, saying: “I feel beyond blessed, for sure. These guys let me tag along for the ride.'

The Giants certainly hit form at the right time, finishing this month with seven straight wins to clinch the seventh World Series in franchise history

 

1 MATT CAIN, JUNE 13, 2012: San Francisco Giants players celebrate after pitcher Matt Cain, third from right, pitched a perfect game in a baseball game against the Houston Astros in San Francisco, Wednesday, June 13, 2012. The Giants won 10-0. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) # Finally pressed in the World Series, the San Francisco Giants finished off a most unexpected and stunning sweep. Marco Scutaro delivered one more key hit this October, hitting a go-ahead single with two outs in the 10th inning that lifted the Giants over the Detroit Tigers 4-3 in Game 4 on Sunday night. Nearly eliminated over and over earlier in the playoffs, the Giants sealed their second title in three seasons when Triple Crown winner Miguel Cabrera looked at strike three right down the middle for the final out. Victors: The San Francisco Giants celebrate on the mound after sweeping the Detroit Tigers to win the World Series on Sunday Big win: The Giants are improbable champions after spending most of October battling against elimination High-profile fan: Ann Romney, wife of Republican presidential candidate and a Michigan native, showed off her Detroit pride at the game on Sunday On a night of biting cold, stiff breezes and some rain, the Giants combined the most important elements of championship baseball - great pitching, timely hitting and sharp defense. Ann Romney, wife of Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney and a Michigan native, was at the game in Detroit. Series MVP Pablo Sandoval and the underdog Giants celebrated in the center of the diamond at Comerica Park after winning six elimination games this postseason. Cabrera delivered the first big hit for Detroit, interrupting San Francisco's run of dominant pitching with a two-run homer that blew over the right-field wall in the third. Buster Posey put the Giants ahead 3-2 with a two-run homer in the sixth and Delmon Young hit a tying home run in the bottom half. Big hitter: Pablo Sandoval was selected Most Valuable Player for helping to lead the Giants to an improbable World Series victory Power players: The Giants clinched their second World Series title in three years Tears of joy: Sandoval is overwhelmed with emotion as he hugs a teammate after the stunning World Series sweep It then became a matchup of bullpens, and the Giants prevailed. Ryan Theriot led off the 10th with a single against Phil Coke, moved up on Brandon Crawford's sacrifice and scored on Scutaro's shallow single. Center fielder Austin Jackson made a throw home, to no avail. Sergio Romo struck out the side in the bottom of the 10th for his third save of the Series. The Giants finished the month with seven straight wins and their seventh Series championship. They handed the Tigers their seventh straight World Series loss dating to 2006. An NL team won the title for the third straight season, a run that hadn't occurred in 30 years. Some find the streak surprising, considering the AL's recent dominance in interleague play. Yet as every fan knows, the club that pitches best in the postseason usually prevails. Until the end, the Tigers thought one big hit could shift the momentum. It was an all-too-familiar October lament - Texas felt the same way when the Giants throttled them in 2010, and Tigers knew the feeling when St. Louis wiped them out in 2006. Howling winds made it feel much colder than the 44 degrees at gametime. Two wrappers blew across home plate after leadoff man Angel Pagan struck out, and fly balls played tricks in the breeze. It's over: Triple Crown Winner Miguel Cabrera was stunned when his strike out on Sunday night resulted in a World Series win for the Giants The Giants started with their pregame ritual. They clustered around Hunter Pence in the dugout, quickly turning into a bobbing, whooping, pulsing pack, showering themselves with sunflower seeds. A big league good-luck charm, Little League style. And once again, San Francisco took an early lead. Pence hit a one-hop drive over the center-field fence for a double and Brandon Belt tripled on the next pitch for a 1-0 lead in the second. The next inning, Cabrera gave the Tigers a reason to think this might be their night. With two outs and a runner on first, Cabrera lofted an opposite-field fly to right — off the bat, it looked like a routine out shy of the warning track. But with winds gusting over 25 mph, the ball kept carrying, Pence kept drifting toward the wall and the crowd kept getting louder. Just like that, it was gone. Beaten: Detroit pitcher Max Scherzer takes a moment after meeting with catcher Gerald Laird. He gave up three runs on Sunday Cabrera's homer gave Detroit its first lead of the Series, ended its 20-inning scoreless streak and reaffirmed a pregame observation by Tigers Hall of Famer Al Kaline. 'The wind usually blows to right at this time of year,' Kaline said. In the fourth, Max Scherzer and catcher Gerald Laird teamed on a strike 'em out-throw 'em out double play. Scherzer yelled, first baseman Prince Fielder clenched his fist and the Tigers ran off the field on a chilly, windy, rainy evening. At last, it seemed, all the elements were in their favor. Trailing for the first time since Game 4 of the NL championship series, Posey and the Giants put a dent in Detroit's optimism. Scutaro, the NLCS MVP, led off the sixth with a single and clapped all the way around the bases when Posey sent a shot that sailed just inside the left-field foul pole for a 3-2 lead. Posey, the only Giants player on the field from the starting lineup in the Game 5 clincher in 2010, almost tripped nearing first base and he watched the ball and began his trot. Detroit wasn't about to go quietly, however. Young, the ALCS MVP, made it 3-all with another opposite-field homer to right, this one a no-doubt drive. Fielder finished 1 for 14 (.111) for the Series.   Matt Cain of the San Francisco Giants became only the 22nd pitcher in Major League Baseball’s history to throw a perfect game, allowing no opposing player to reach base. Of the 22 perfect games, half have come in the last 24 years. Here are some photos from Matt Cain’s perfect game and the perfect games of the past. American League Philip Humber 04-21-2012 Chicago 4, Seattle 0 Dallas Braden 05-09-2010 Oakland 4, Tampa Bay 0 Mark Buehrle 07-23-2009 Chicago 5, Tampa Bay 0 David Cone 07-18-1999 New York 6, Montreal 0 David Wells 05-17-1998 New York 4, Minnesota 0 Kenny Rogers 07-28-1994 Texas 4, California 0 Mike Witt 09-30-1984 California 1, Texas 0 Len Barker 05-15-1981 Cleveland 3, Toronto 0 Catfish Hunter 05-08-1968 Oakland 4, Minnesota 0 Don Larsen 10-08-1956 New York 2, Brooklyn 0 Charlie Robertson 04-30-1922 Chicago 2, Detroit 0 Addie Joss 10-02-1908 Cleveland 1, Chicago 0 Cy Young 05-05-1904 Boston 3, Philadelphia 0 National League Matt Cain 06-13-2012 San Francisco 10, Houston 0 Roy Halladay 05-29-2010 Philadelphia 1, Florida 0 Randy Johnson 05-18-2004 Arizona 2, Atlanta 0 Dennis Martinez 07-28-1991 Montreal 2, Los Angeles 0 Tom Browning 09-16-1988 Cincinnati 1, Los Angeles 0 Sandy Koufax 09-09-1965 Los Angeles 1, Chicago 0 Jim Bunning 06-21-1964 Philadelphia 6, New York 0 Monte Ward 06-17-1880 Providence 5, Buffalo 0 Lee Richmond 06-12-1880 Worcester 1, Cleveland 0 2 MATT CAIN, JUNE 13, 2012: San Francisco Giants pitcher Matt Cain delivers against the Houston Astros during the seventh inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Wednesday, June 13, 2012. Cain pitched a perfect game. The Giants won 10-0. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) # 3 MATT CAIN, JUNE 13, 2012: San Francisco Giants center fielder Gregor Blanco catches a fly ball hit by Houston Astros' Jordan Schafer during the seventh inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Wednesday, June 13, 2012. Giants pitcher Matt Cain threw a perfect game, striking out 14 in San Francisco's 10-0 victory over Houston. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) # 4 MATT CAIN, JUNE 13, 2012: San Francisco Giants pitcher Matt Cain celebrates after the final out of the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros in San Francisco, Wednesday, June 13, 2012. Cain pitched a perfect game. The Giants won 10-0. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) # 5 MATT CAIN, JUNE 13, 2012: San Francisco Giants pitcher Matt Cain, left, celebrates with catcher Buster Posey, center, and first baseman Brandon Belt after the final out of the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros in San Francisco, Wednesday, June 13, 2012. Cain pitched the 22nd perfect game in major league history and first for the Giants, striking out a career-high 14 and getting help from two spectacular catches to beat the Houston Astros 10-0. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) # 6 MATT CAIN, JUNE 13, 2012: San Francisco Giants pitcher Matt Cain celebrates after the final out of the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros in San Francisco, Wednesday, June 13, 2012. Cain pitched a perfect game. The Giants won 10-0. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) # 7 PHILIP HUMBER, APRIL 21, 2012: Starting pitcher Philip Humber #41 of the Chicago White Sox pitches in the eighth inning of a perfect game against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field on April 21, 2012 in Seattle, Washington. This was the 21st perfect game in Major League Baseball history. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) # 8 PHILIP HUMBER, APRIL 21, 2012: Starting pitcher Philip Humber #41 of the Chicago White Sox reacts as he gets the final out of a perect game against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field on April 21, 2012 in Seattle, Washington. This was the 21st perfect game in Major League Baseball history. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) # 9 PHILIP HUMBER, APRIL 21, 2012: Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Philip Humber, left, reacts after pitching a perfect baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Saturday, April 21, 2012, in Seattle. The White Sox won 4-0. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson) # 10 PHILIP HUMBER, APRIL 21, 2012: Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Philip Humber, center, is mobbed by teammates after pitching a perfect baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Saturday, April 21, 2012, in Seattle. The White Sox won 4-0. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson) # 11 PHILIP HUMBER, APRIL 21, 2012: Starting pitcher Philip Humber #41 of the Chicago White Sox is mobbed by teammates after throwing a perfect game against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field on April 21, 2012 in Seattle, Washington. This was the 21st perfect game in Major League Baseball history. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) # 12 ROY HALLADAY, MAY 29, 2010: Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Roy Halladay throws a pitch in the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Florida Marlins, Saturday, May 29, 2010 in Miami. Halladay threw a perfect game as the Phillies defeated the Marlins 1-0. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) # 13 ROY HALLADAY, MAY 29, 2010: Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Roy Halladay stretches before throwing a pitch in the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Florida Marlins, Saturday, May 29, 2010, in Miami. Halladay threw a perfect game as the Phillies defeated the Marlins 1-0. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) # 14 ROY HALLADAY, MAY 29, 2010: Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Roy Halladay, center, celebrates with Carlos Ruiz, right, and Ryan Howard after Halladay threw a perfect game during a baseball game against the Florida Marlins, Saturday, May 29, 2010 in Miami. The Phillies defeated the Marlins 1-0. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) # 15 ROY HALLADAY, MAY 29, 2010: Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Roy Halladay, second from right, is mobbed by teammates after throwing a perfect baseball game against the Florida Marlins, Saturday, May 29, 2010, in Miami. The Phillies defeated the Marlins 1-0. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) # 16 ROY HALLADAY, MAY 29, 2010: Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Roy Halladay is hugged by first base coach Davey Lopes after he threw a perfect game during a baseball game against the Florida Marlins, Saturday, May 29, 2010 in Miami. The Phillies defeated the Marlins 1-0. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) # 17 DALLAS BRADEN, MAY 9, 2010: Dallas Braden #51 of the Oakland Athletics pitches against the Tampa Bay Rays during an MLB game at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on May 9, 2010 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images) # 18 DALLAS BRADEN, MAY 9, 2010: Oakland Athletics pitcher Dallas Braden, center, is mobbed by teammates after throwing a perfect game against the Tampa Bay Rays in a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, May 9, 2010. Braden had the 19th perfect game in major league history, as the Athletics won 4-0. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) # 19 DALLAS BRADEN, MAY 9, 2010: Dallas Braden #51 of the Oakland Athletics celebrates after pitching a perfect game against the Tampa Bay Rays during an MLB game at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on May 9, 2010 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images) # 20 DALLAS BRADEN, MAY 9, 2010: Dallas Braden #51 of the Oakland Athletics celebrates after pitching a perfect game against the Tampa Bay Rays with his grandmother Peggy Lindsey during an MLB game at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on May 9, 2010 in Oakland, California. Braden is seen kissing his mother's wedding ring who passed away. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images) # 21 DALLAS BRADEN, MAY 9, 2010: Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Dallas Braden, (51), is hugged by teammate Brandon Powell after throwing a perfect game against the Tampa Bay Rays at a baseball game in Oakland, Calif. Sunday, May 9, 2010. Braden pitched the 19th perfect game in major league history, a dazzling performance for the Athletics in a 4-0 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) # 22 MARK BUEHRLE, JULY 23, 2009: Pitcher Mark Buehrle #56 of the Chicago White Sox pitches in the 9th inning as he pitches a perfect game against the Tampa Bay Rays at U.S. Cellular Field on July 23, 2009 in Chicago, Illinois. The White Sox defeated the Rays 5-0. (Photo by Scott Boehm/Getty Images) # 23 MARK BUEHRLE, JULY 23, 2009: Chicago White Sox center fielder DeWayne Wise holds up the ball after making a leaping catch of a ball hit by Tampa Bay Rays' Gabe Kapler duirng the ninth inning of a baseball game Thursday, July 23, 2009, in Chicago. Chicago's Mark Buehrle threw a perfect game, the 18th in major league history, as Chicago won 5-0. (AP Photo/Chicago Tribune, Phil Velasquez) # 24 MARK BUEHRLE, JULY 23, 2009: Chicago White Sox's Mark Buehrle reacts after tossing a perfect game against the Tampa Bay Rays in a baseball game, Thursday, July 23, 2009, in Chicago. The White Sox won 5-0. (AP Photo/Jim Prisching) # 25 MARK BUEHRLE, JULY 23, 2009: Chicago White Sox pitcher Mark Buehrle, left, is embraced by teammates including catcher Ramon Castro after throwing a perfect game against the Tampa Bay Rays in a baseball game, Thursday, July 23, 2009, in Chicago. The White Sox won 5-0. (AP Photo/Jim Prisching) # 26 MARK BUEHRLE, JULY 23, 2009: Chicago White Sox's Mark Buehrle, second from right, is embraced by teammates after he threw a perfect game against the Tampa Bay Rays in a baseball game, Thursday, July 23, 2009, in Chicago. The White Sox won 5-0. (AP Photo/Jim Prisching) # 27 MARK BUEHRLE, JULY 23, 2009: Chicago White Sox's Mark Buehrle celebrates withe his wife Jamie and newborn son, Braden after tossing a perfect game against the Tampa Bay Rays in a baseball game Thursday, July 23, 2009, in Chicago. The White Sox won 5-0. (AP Photo/Jim Prisching) # 28 MARK BUEHRLE, JULY 23, 2009: Pitcher Mark Buehrle #56 of the Chicago White Sox celebrates pitching a perfect game with his teammates against the Tampa Bay Rays at U.S. Cellular Field on July 23, 2009 in Chicago, Illinois. The The White Sox defeated the Rays 5-0. (Photo by Scott Boehm/Getty Images) # 29 RANDY JOHNSON, MAY 18, 2004: Arizona Diamondbacks starter Randy Johnson reacts after retiring Atlanta Braves batter Eddie Perez in ninth for a perfect game Tuesday, May 18, 2004 in Atlanta. Arizona won 2-0. (AP Photo/John Bazemore) # 30 RANDY JOHNSON, MAY 18, 2004: Arizona Diamondbacks starter Randy Johnson, left, celebrates with catcher Robby Hammock after pitching a perfect game against the Atlanta Braves Tuesday, May 18, 2004 in Atlanta. Arizona won 2-0. (AP Photo/John Bazemore) # 31 RANDY JOHNSON, MAY 18, 2004: Arizona Diamondbacks starter Randy Johnson, center, is mobbed by his teammates including catcher Robby Hammock, right, after pitching a perfect game against the Atlanta Braves Tuesday, May 18, 2004 in Atlanta. Arizona won 2-0. (AP Photo/John Bazemore) # 32 RANDY JOHNSON, MAY 18, 2004: Arizona Diamondbacks starter Randy Johnson waves to the crowd after pitching a perfect game against the Atlanta Braves in Atlanta. Arizona won 2-0. Johnson is retiring after 22 major league seasons. The Big Unit, an overpowering lefty who last June became the 24th pitcher in big league history to win 300 games, made the expected announcement on a conference call on Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2010. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File) # 33 DAVID CONE, JULY 18, 1999: David Cone #36 of the New York Yankees winds up for a pitch during a game against the Montreal Expos at Yankee Stadium on July 18, 1999 in the Bronx, New York. David Cone threw for a perfect game as the Yankees defeated the Expos won 6-0. (Photo by Vincent Laforet/Getty Images) # 34 DAVID CONE, JULY 18, 1999: The scoreboard Yankee Stadium shows the results of Yankee pitcher David Cone's perfect game against the Montreal Expos, Sunday, July 18, 1999 in New York .(AP Photo/Kathy Willens) # 35 DAVID CONE, JULY 18, 1999: New York Yankees pitcher David Cone is congratulated by catcher Joe Girardi after Cone pitched a perfect game against the Montreal Expos Sunday, July 18, 1999.(AP Photo/Jeff Zelevansky) # 36 DAVID CONE, JULY 18, 1999: New York Yankees pitcher David Cone (36) falls into the arms of catcher Joe Girardi, left, as Derek Jeter, right, and the rest of his teammates swarm around for a celebration on the field after Cone threw a perfect game against the Montreal Expos during "Yogi Berra Day" at New York's Yankee Stadium Sunday, July 18, 1999.(AP Photo/Kathy Willens) # 37 DAVID CONE, JULY 18, 1999: David Cone #36 of the New York Yankees celebrates as his teammates lift him after winning the game against the Montreal Expos at Yankee Stadium in Bronx, New York. The Yankees defeated the Expos 6-0. # 38 DAVID CONE, JULY 18, 1999: Pitcher David Cone #36 of the New York Yankees throws his hat during the game against the Montreal Expos at Yankee Stadium in Bronx, New York. The Yankees defeated the Expos 6-0. # 39 DAVID WELLS, MAY 17, 1998: Pitcher David Wells of the New York Yankees in action during a game against the Minnesota Twins at the Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York. The Yankees defeated the Twins 4-0. # 40 DAVID WELLS, MAY 17, 1998: The scoreboard in center fields reads all zeros for the Minnesota Twins at the end of the game after New York Yankees pitcher David Wells threw a perfect game 17 May at Yankee Stadium in New York City. Wells retired all 27 batters he faced in a row as the Yankees beat the Twins 4-0. (MATT CAMPBELL/AFP/Getty Images) # 41 DAVID WELLS, MAY 17, 1998: Pitcher David Wells of the New York Yankees in action during a game against the Minnesota Twins at the Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York. The Yankees defeated the Twins 4-0. Mandatory Credit: David Seelig /Allsport # 42 DAVID WELLS, MAY 17, 1998: Pitcher David Wells of the New York Yankees in action during a game against the Minnesota Twins at the Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York. The Yankees defeated the Twins 4-0. Mandatory Credit: David Seelig /Allsport # 43 DAVID WELLS, MAY 17, 1998: David Wells #33 of the New York Yankees celebrates his perfect game against the Minnesota Twins with teammates Jorge Posada #20 and Luis Sojo #19 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York. The Yankees defeated the Twins 4-0. # 44 DAVID WELLS, MAY 17, 1998: David Wells #33 of the New York Yankees celebrates his perfect game against the Minnesota Twins with his teammates at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York. The Yankees defeated the Twins 4-0. # 45 DAVID WELLS, MAY 17, 1998: Pitcher David Wells of the New York Yankees in action during a game against the Minnesota Twins at the Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York. The Yankees defeated the Twins 4-0. Mandatory Credit: David Seelig /Allsport # 46 KENNY ROGERS, JULY 28, 1994: Texas Rangers pitcher Kenny Rogers throws the final pitch of his perfect game against the California Angels in Arlington, Texas, Thursday night, July 28, 1994. Texas won 4-0. It is the first perfect game in the American League since 1984 and that game also involved the Rangers and the Angels. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) # 47 KENNY ROGERS, JULY 28, 1994: Texas Rangers pitcher Kenny Rogers acknowledges the crowd after the second out of the ninth inning in Arlington, Texas, Thursday night, July 28, 1994. Rogers threw a perfect game against the California Angels, giving the Rangers a 4-0 victory. It is the first perfect game in the American League since 1984 and that game also involved the Rangers and the Angels. (AP Photo/Tim Sharp) # 48 KENNY ROGERS, JULY 28, 1994: Texas Rangers' Kenny Rogers, top left, is congratulated by teammates Ivan Rodriguez (7) and Will Clark after throwing a perfect game against the California Angels in Arlington, Texas, in this July 28, 1994 photo. Rogers returned to the team where he had his greatest success, agreeing with the Texas Rangers Wednesday Dec. 29, 1999 on a $22.5 million, three-year contract. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) # 49 KENNY ROGERS, JULY 28, 1994: Texas Rangers pitcher Kenny Rogers tips his hat to the crowd after throwing a perfect game against the California Angels in Arlington, Texas, Thursday night, July 28, 1994. Rogers, 11-6, retired all 27 batters he faced, giving the Rangers a 4-0 victory over the Angels. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) # 50 DENNIS MARTINEZ, JULY 28, 1991: Pitcher Dennis Martinez of the Montreal Expos prepares to throw the ball in a game where he pitched a perfect game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California. # 51 DENNIS MARTINEZ, JULY 28, 1991: Montreal Expos pitcher Dennis Martinez, center, is hugged by his teammates after throwing a perfect game against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Los Angeles, Ca., Sunday, July 28, 1991. Catcher Ron Hasey (24) is left, and Spike Owen (11) is right. Montreal scored two runs in the seventh inning to win, 2-0. (AP Photo/Craig Fujii) # 52 DENNIS MARTINEZ, JULY 28, 1991: Montreal Expos pitcher Dennis Martinez waves to fans coming off the field after throwing a perfect game against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Los Angeles, Ca., Sunday, July 28, 1991. Montreal scored two runs in the seventh inning to win, 2-0. (AP Photo/Craig Fujii) # 53 TOM BROWNING, SEPTEMBER 16, 1988: Cincinnati Reds pitcher Tom Browning delivers a pitch during game with the Los Angeles Dodgers at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio, Friday night, Sept. 16, 1988. Browning threw a perfect game as the Reds won 1-0. (AP Photo) # 54 TOM BROWNING, SEPTEMBER 16, 1988: Cincinnati Reds pitcher Tom Browning reacts after recording the last out to pitch a perfect game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio, Friday night, Sept. 16, 1988. The Reds won 1-0. (AP Photo) # 55 TOM BROWNING, SEPTEMBER 16, 1988: Cincinnati Reds pitcher Tom Browning, center, is congratulated by his teammates Ken Oester, Jeff Reed, Chris Sabo (17) and catcher Jeff Reed (34) after Browning pitched a perfect game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio, Friday night, Sept. 16, 1988. The Reds won 1-0. (AP Photo/Mark Lyons) # 56 TOM BROWNING, SEPTEMBER 16, 1988: Cincinnati Reds pitcher Tom Browning tips his hat to the crowd at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio, Friday night, Sept. 16, 1988, after he threw a perfect game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Cincinnati won 1-0. (AP Photo/Mark Lyons) # 57 MIKE WITT, SEPTEMBER 30, 1984: California Angels pitcher Mike Witt throws a pitch in the ninth inning en route to a perfect game against the Texas Rangers at Arlington, Texas, September 30, 1984. Witt struck out 10 of the 27 batters he faced. (AP Photo) # 58 MIKE WITT, SEPTEMBER 30, 1984: California Angels pitcher Mike Witt gets a hug from catcher Bob Boone after Witt pitched a perfect game against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, on September 30, 1984. (AP Photo) # 59 MIKE WITT, SEPTEMBER 30, 1984: California Angels pitcher Mike Witt is congratulated by Reggie Jackson after pitching a perfect game against the Texas Rangers at Arlington, Texas, September 30, 1984. Witt struck out 10 of the 27 batters he faced. (AP Photo) # 60 MIKE WITT, SEPTEMBER 30, 1984: California Angels pitcher Mike Witt talks to the media with the scoreboard in background showing his perfect game against the Texas Rangers at Arlington Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Oct. 1, 1984. (AP Photo) # 61 MIKE WITT, SEPTEMBER 30, 1984: California Angels pitcher Mike Witt sips champagne in the locker room after pitching a perfect game against the Texas Rangers at Arlington, Texas, September 30, 1984. Witt struck out 10 of the 27 batters he faced. (AP Photo) # 62 RON HASSEY, MAY 15, 1981: Cleveland Indians catcher Ron Hassey, left, and third baseman Toby Harrah, center, converge on pitcher Len Barker after the last Toronto Blue Jay was put out Friday, May 15, 1981 in Cleveland to give Barker the first perfect game in the major leagues since 1968. Barker sent down 27 straight batters, 11 on strike outs, to earn a place in the record books. (AP Photo/MAD) # 63 RON HASSEY, MAY 15, 1981: Cleveland Indians pitcher Len Barker, center, is mobbed by teammates on the mound after he pitched a perfect game against the Toronto Blue Jays in Cleveland Stadium, May 16, 1981. The feat in which Barker also struck out 11 was the first since Catfish Hunter accomplished it 13 years ago. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan) # 64 CATFISH HUNTER, MAY 9, 1968: Jim (Catfish) Hunter in action as he pitched a perfect no hit, no run, no anything against the Minnesota Twins last night. It was the first perfect game pitched in the American League in 46 years and the first of Hunter's major league career.The Athletics won the perfect game 4-0 on May 9,1968 in Oakland, (AP Photo) # 65 CATFISH HUNTER, MAY 9, 1968: Jim (Catfish) Hunter in action as he pitched a perfect no hit, no run, no anything against the Minnesota Twins last night. It was the first perfect game pitched in the American League in 46 years and the first of Hunter's major league career.The Athletics won the perfect game 4-0 on May 9,1968 in Oakland, (AP Photo) # 66 CATFISH HUNTER, MAY 9, 1968: Jim Hunter comes off the mound to take return throw from catcher Jim Pagliaroni and that's exactly what Minnesota wound up with nothing, on May. 9, 1968, in Oakland. The scoreboard shows Minnesota 0 in the 9th inning of game with the Oakland Athletics here last night as pitcher. Hunter threw a perfect no hit, no run, no walk game won by the Athletics 4-0. (AP Photo) # 67 CATFISH HUNTER, MAY 9, 1968: Oakland Athletics pitcher Jim "Catfish" Hunter, right, is congratulated by catcher Jim Pagliaroni and third baseman Sal Brando, center, on the pitcher's mound after Hunter pitched a perfect game against the Minnesota Twins, May 8, 1968. The scene occurred immediately after Hunter threw his last pitch to pinch hitter Rich Reese. The Athletics won the game, 4-0. (AP Photo/RHH) # 68 SANDY KOUFAX, SEPTEMBER 9, 1965: Sandy Koufax, the Los Angeles Dodgers Southpaw who three years ago suffered a circulatory ailment in his pitching hand that jeopardized his career, Sept. 9, 1965. He’s on top of the baseball world to day, however, following his perfect game against the Chicago Cubs. It was his fourth Major League no-hitter. (AP Photo) # 69 SANDY KOUFAX, SEPTEMBER 9, 1965: Sandy Koufax (32) of the Los Angeles Dodgers is rushed by teammates as he leaves the pitcher's mound at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, Ca. on Sept. 9, 1965. Koufax pitched a perfect game against the Chicago Cubs. Ron Fairly is at center, and Willie Davis (3) is at left. The Dodgers won 1-0. (AP Photo) # 70 JIM BUNNING, JUNE 21, 1964: Jim Bunning of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches a perfect game against the New York Mets at Shea Stadium in New York. The Phillies beat the Mets, 6-0. Bunning retired all 27 batters who faced him in the first game of a doubleheader to become the first pitcher in 42 years with a perfect game in regular season play. (AP Photo/File) # 71 JIM BUNNING, JUNE 21, 1964: Jim Bunning, Philadelphia Phillies right-handed pitcher, strikes out John Stephenson, pinch hitter for the New York Mets in ninth inning for final out in perfect no-hit game at New York's Shea Stadium, June 21, 1964. The catcher is Gus Triandos. (AP Photo/Harry Harris) # 72 JIM BUNNING, JUNE 21, 1964: Jim Bunning (14) of the Philadelphia Phillies wipes sweat from his face as he begins pitching in the sixth inning of his perfect game against the New York Mets at Shea Stadium in New York City, June 21, 1964. The Phillies beat the Mets, 6-0. Bunning retired all 27 batters who faced him in the first game of doubleheader to become the first pitcher in 42 years with a perfect game in regular season play. This image is the first of four images showing Bunning's pitching sequence. (AP Photo) # 73 DON LARSEN, OCTOBER 8, 1956: New York Yankees pitcher Don Larsen throwing against the Brooklyn Dodgers, enroute to a perfect game in the fourth inning of Game 5 of the World Series, in New York. (AP Photo/File) # 74 DON LARSEN, OCTOBER 8, 1956: This is a view of the scoreboard at Yankee Stadium showing the 2-0 lead the New York Yankees have over the Brooklyn Dodgers in the bottom of the ninth in game 5 of the World Series in the Bronx on Oct. 8, 1956. Yankees pitcher Don Larsen pitched a perfect game, the only no-hitter in postseason play. (AP Photo) # 75 DON LARSEN, OCTOBER 8, 1956: Yankees Catcher Yogi Berra is embraced by Don Larsen as he leaps into Larsen's arms at the end of game five of the World Series, Oct. 8, 1956, at New York's Yankee Stadium. Larsen had pitched a perfect game against the Brooklyn Dodgers. (AP Photo) # 76 DON LARSEN, OCTOBER 8, 1956: New York Yankees' catcher Yogi Berra leaps into the arms of pitcher Don Larsen after Larsen struck out the last Brooklyn Dodgers' batter to complete his perfect game during the fifth game of the World Series, Oct. 8, 1956. Racing up in the background is Joe Collins. (AP Photo) # 77 DON LARSEN, OCTOBER 8, 1956: Catcher Yogi Berra (8) jumps into the arms of pitcher Don Larsen while other Yankee teammates stream onto the field after Larsen pitched the first perfect game in World Series history, defeating the Dodgers 2-0 at New York's Yankee Stadium. (AP Photo/File) # 78 DON LARSEN, OCTOBER 8, 1956: New York Yankees pitcher Don Larsen signs a baseball for Brooklyn Dodgers manager Walter O'Malley in the dressing room after the Yankees defeated the Dodgers, 2-0, in the no-hitter World Series game at Yankee Stadium on Oct. 8, 1956. Larsen pitched the first perfect game in Series history. (AP Photo)