http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=300602106
This story even overshadowed the retirement of Ken Griffey, Jr. Before last night's Indians-Tigers game, Detroit pitcher Armando Galarraga never felt he would be a factor in the Tigers' starting rotation. Last night, Galarraga sent batter after batter back to the Indians dugout. By the fifth inning, according to an interview, first-base umpire Jim Joyce (you'll see why he's important in all this in a minute) was well aware of the perfect game Galarraga had going. The Tigers' defense kept the Cleveland bats silent, even after one play where a grounder bounced off Galarraga's leg, but shortstop Ramon Santiago picked it up and got the out anyway, and by the 9th inning, Galarraga was 3 outs from history. He was 3 outs from the 21st perfect game in MLB history and the 3rd one this year alone. The first Indian batter sent a fly ball deep into left-center, and it seemed the perfect game was over. Center fielder Trevor Crowe thought otherwise as he tracked the fly ball down and caught it. One ground-out later, and Galarraga stood opposite Jason Donald, one out from immortalizing the night of June 2, 2010 in the record books. Donald grounded to first baseman Miguel Cabrera, and Galarraga sprinted to cover first. Cabrera tossed the ball to his pitcher, Galarraga caught the throw, and everyone watching this play at that moment thought Donald was out.
Except first base umpire Jim Joyce. He called Donald safe. Galarraga simply walked back to the mound in shock. Cabrera and manager Jim Leyland began arguing with him. Before the replay, Leyland let Joyce know, "I hope you're right." Replays showed Cabrera's throw to Galarraga had in fact beat Donald to first by half a step. The next play, a ground-out ended the game, and the Tigers let Joyce have pieces of their minds. At this moment, the league is considering reviewing the play and overturning the blown call. Until then, if then, the night of June 2, 2010 will live forever as the night Jim Joyce stole history from Armando Galarraga.
This story even overshadowed the retirement of Ken Griffey, Jr. Before last night's Indians-Tigers game, Detroit pitcher Armando Galarraga never felt he would be a factor in the Tigers' starting rotation. Last night, Galarraga sent batter after batter back to the Indians dugout. By the fifth inning, according to an interview, first-base umpire Jim Joyce (you'll see why he's important in all this in a minute) was well aware of the perfect game Galarraga had going. The Tigers' defense kept the Cleveland bats silent, even after one play where a grounder bounced off Galarraga's leg, but shortstop Ramon Santiago picked it up and got the out anyway, and by the 9th inning, Galarraga was 3 outs from history. He was 3 outs from the 21st perfect game in MLB history and the 3rd one this year alone. The first Indian batter sent a fly ball deep into left-center, and it seemed the perfect game was over. Center fielder Trevor Crowe thought otherwise as he tracked the fly ball down and caught it. One ground-out later, and Galarraga stood opposite Jason Donald, one out from immortalizing the night of June 2, 2010 in the record books. Donald grounded to first baseman Miguel Cabrera, and Galarraga sprinted to cover first. Cabrera tossed the ball to his pitcher, Galarraga caught the throw, and everyone watching this play at that moment thought Donald was out.
Except first base umpire Jim Joyce. He called Donald safe. Galarraga simply walked back to the mound in shock. Cabrera and manager Jim Leyland began arguing with him. Before the replay, Leyland let Joyce know, "I hope you're right." Replays showed Cabrera's throw to Galarraga had in fact beat Donald to first by half a step. The next play, a ground-out ended the game, and the Tigers let Joyce have pieces of their minds. At this moment, the league is considering reviewing the play and overturning the blown call. Until then, if then, the night of June 2, 2010 will live forever as the night Jim Joyce stole history from Armando Galarraga.
