Mark Buehrle of the Chicago White Sox has pitched a perfect game against the Tampa Bay Rays, beating them 5-0. This is Buehrle's second no-hitter, and both of them have been very similar. Buehrle's first no-hitter was in 2007 against the Texas Rangers, and the home plate umpire for both of those games was Eric Cooper. Also, both of the no-hitters was in Comiskey Park and the time of the game was both two hours and three minutes. Buehrle also almost lost the perfect game in the ninth inning when Gabe Kapler hit a deep drive to center. It appeared to be a home run but Dwayne Wise jumped up and snatched it, preserving the perfect game.
The similarities between his 2007 no-hitter and his perfect game today are very striking. I think Buehrle needs to pray for Cooper being the home plate umpire on as many games as possible when he starts. However, this perfect game was very impressive because of the team it came on. It came against the Rays, who are definitely a very good hitting team, and they're the defending American League champions. In case no one noticed, this is a rematch of the 2008 ALDS. These two teams met and the Rays swept the White Sox on their way to the World Series.
This perfect game has to feel good for Buehrle. His career wasn't all too interesting until their 2005 World Series champion team. He and Jon Garland were very good that year in leading the White Sox to the best regular season record and the championship. Buehrle has continued to be a lot more than serviceable for the White Sox, making the All-Star team numerous times. Also, if it wasn't for Wise, there would be no perfect game. Buehrle said he bought the entire team expensive watches for his 2007 no-hitter. Well it's going to get more expensive, and Wise's gift should be more expensive.
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