Philip Humber Tosses 21st Perfect Game in History, Leading White Sox Past Seattle Mariners

by Ryan Chiavetta on Sat, Apr 21, 2012 at 6:11PM

Chicago White Sox pitcher Philip Humber has made history, and he took it down to the last pitch.

Humber became the 21st pitcher to fire a complete game, retiring all 27 Seattle Mariners he faced as he led the White Sox to a 4-0 victory in Safeco Field.

The 29-year-old pitcher faced pinch-hitter Brendan Ryan with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning, working the Mariners’ shortstop to a full count. Ryan failed to check his swing as the pitch momentarily got away from White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski, who quickly got to his feet to fire the ball to Paul Konerko for the final out.

Humber’s perfect game is truly one for the ages, as the pitcher accomplished a feat that has only been done 20 times prior to Saturday’s game. The last pitcher to throw a perfect game was Roy Halladay, who retired all 27 Florida Marlins he faced on May 29, 2010.

The White Sox aren’t strangers to perfection, either, as Mark Buehrle accomplished the rarity when he sat all 27 Tampa Bay Rays he faced on July 23, 2009.

Humber threw 97 pitches, 68 called for strikes, and recorded nine strikeouts during the historic day.