肯米的棒球天空

文：肯米

Philip Humber這位從2004年首輪第三順位被選選進的選手，直到去年才在白襪隊站穩先發的角色，否則在他從０６年上大聯盟後，從沒有一個球季投超過２２局，去年卻在白襪先發投出生涯單季最多的１６３局，也差點投出單季雙位數的勝投。

When it was over, when his catcher had gathered the remains of one final hitter, and when his teammates had burst from his dugout after a little more than two-and-a-quarter hours of perfection, Philip Humber fell to the infield grass Saturday afternoon at Safeco Field.

In a professional career that had begun one pick after Justin Verlander in the 2004 draft, that had seen one splashy trade (from the New York Mets to the Minnesota Twins for Johan Santana), and that had endured Tommy John surgery, two waiver claims, a line drive to the face and the general disappointment of a top prospect gone so-so, Humber had finally – and sweetly – found his place in the game.

Philip Humber threw just the 21st perfect game in MLB history against the Mariners on Saturday. (Getty Images) The 29-year-old fifth starter for the Chicago White Sox, in the 30th start of his big-league career, threw the 21st perfect game in history, the 19th of the modern era.

Over 96 pitches in a ballpark and against a lineup both built for a pitcher, Humber struck out nine Seattle Mariners in the 4-0 victory. He got five ground-ball outs, 13 fly-ball outs. Only one other perfect game – David Cone's in 1999 – required fewer pitches.

In the ninth inning, Humber struck out Michael Saunders on a 3-and-2 slider, got pinch-hitter John Jaso to fly to short right field, and then struck out pinch-hitter Brendan Ryan on a full-count slider.

The final pitch rolled away from White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski, and for a moment it appeared Ryan would have a chance to reach first base, killing the perfect game. Ryan believed he'd checked his swing, however, and as he argued with plate umpire Brian Runge, Pierzynski retrieved the ball and – with Humber urging him on – threw the ball to first base.

The 27th consecutive out recorded, Humber half-collapsed and half-threw himself to the turf, as if to honor the strange, magical and dominating performance that is every perfect game, not just his. Within seconds he was buried beneath his fellow White Sox.

To the names Roy Halladay, Randy Johnson, Catfish Hunter, Cy Young, Don Larsen and Sandy Koufax, legends with perfect games, add Philip Humber.

http://0rz.tw/gdrcF

 

Humber也是成為史上第２１位投出完全比賽的選手，也是隊史第三位，且他這場球僅花了９６球，是近２０年內僅次於１９９９年７月１８日洋基投手孔恩（David Cone）的８８球完全比賽。而如此這場比賽也是白襪史上第１８次無安打比賽，可說是相當驚人的紀錄。

白襪隊史投出完全比賽的紀錄：
Charlie Robertson（右投２６歲）－１９２２／０４／３０，用　９０球投出６次三振
Mark Buehrle　　  （左投３０歲）－２００９／０７／２３，用１１６球投出６次三振

如今，可以在上面也寫上這個歷史了
Philip Humber　　　（右投２９歲）－２０１２／０４／２１，用　９６球投出９次三振

恭喜Philip Humber！完成生涯最佳代表作！