Mariners' Hernandez tosses perfect game

SEATTLE, Washington (AFP) –

Starting pitcher Felix Hernandez #34 of the Seattle Mariners is dowsed with water after throwing a perfect game. Hernandez threw the first perfect game ever for the Seattle Mariners — a 1-0 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday that was the 23rd perfect outing in Major League history.

Felix Hernandez threw the first perfect game ever for the Seattle Mariners — a 1-0 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday that was the 23rd perfect outing in Major League history.

The 26-year-old Hernandez tossed the third perfect game this year — an all-time high for one Major League Baseball season.

Philip Humber of the Chicago White Sox threw one in Seattle on April 21 and Matt Cain of the San Francisco Giants blanked the Houston Astros on June 13.

“When Phil (Humber) threw his perfect game here, I said ‘I have to throw one’,” Hernandez said. “I’ve been working to throw one and here it is.”

Hernandez struck out 12, including five of the final six batters he faced.

It was the second perfect game at Safeco Field this season after Humber’s effort, and the third no-hitter. Five Seattle pitchers combined for a no-hitter against the Los Angeles Dodgers on June 8.