NEW YORK, 20 May 2004 — Randy Johnson pitched a perfect game for the first time in his career Tuesday, retiring all 27 batters he faced to help the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Atlanta Braves 2-0.
Johnson (4-4) struck out 13 batters for his second no-hitter and the first perfect game in the National League since Dennis Martinez of the Montreal Expos achieved the feat in July 1991.
Five-time Cy Young Award winner Johnson threw 117 pitches, a remarkable 87 for strikes. He struck out Eddie Perez on a 98-mph fastball to end the game and earn a standing ovation from the 23,381 fans at Turner Field.
It was the 17th perfect game in the history of major league baseball.
Johnson also became the oldest player to toss a perfect game. Cy Young held the previous record after achieving the feat in 1904 at the age of 37.
“Not bad for being 40 years old,” Johnson told reporters. “Everything was locked in.
“A game like this was pretty special. It doesn’t come along very often.”
It was the first perfect game in the major leagues since David Cone accomplished the feat for the New York Yankees against the Expos in July 1999.
Since the modern era of baseball began in 1900, there have been 15 perfect games, including Johnson’s.
He was also given a standing ovation after eight innings, the crowd chanting “Randy, Randy, Randy,” as he drew closer to his perfect game.
The Braves hit several hard balls off Johnson but nothing came close to being a hit. He only went to three balls on the count once.
Johnson’s other no-hitter came in June 1990 against the Detroit Tigers. The 14-year span between no-hitters is by far the longest in baseball history.
Alex Cintron doubled in a run in the second inning and scored another run on an RBI single by Chad Tracy in the seventh.
Mike Hampton (0-5) allowed eight hits and two runs in a complete game but took the loss. The closest the Braves came to a hit was in the sixth inning when Hampton was thrown out at first base on a slow roller to Cintron.
Santana’s Run Ends as Jays Cool Off Twins
In Toronto, Reed Johnson and Carlos Delgado both drove in two runs to help the Toronto Blue Jays cool off Johan Santana with a 5-3 victory over the Minnesota Twins in the American League Tuesday.
Santana lost for the first time in 20 starts dating back to last July. Three Toronto pitchers combined on a five-hitter as the Jays beat the AL Central Division leaders after losing the opening game of the series Monday.
Miguel Batista (2-3) went six innings, allowing two runs on two hits with five strikeouts and five walks to grab his second straight win after losing his first three games with his new team.
Jamie Frasor pitched two shutout innings before Terry Adams came on in the ninth, giving up one run on two hits to record his third save of the season.
Vernon Wells and Chris Gomez each had two hits for host Toronto while Johnson finished with three hits and a run scored in addition to his two RBI.
Santana (2-1) allowed five runs, four earned, on eight hits over 5 1/3 innings, striking out six batters and walking two.
Matt LeCroy had two hits and drove in two runs for Minnesota.
In other AL games Tuesday:
In Cleveland, Jon Garland pitched seven strong innings to steer the Chicago White Sox to a 4-2 triumph over the Indians.
Garland (3-2) allowed one run on five hits while striking out six batters and walking one to end Cleveland’s five-game winning streak.
Billy Koch worked the ninth for his seventh save of the season. Paul Konerko’s two-run single highlighted a four-run fourth inning.
Chad Durbin (3-4) gave up four runs on six hits in 3 2/3 innings. Jody Gerut had three hits for Cleveland.
In St. Petersburg, Tim Wakefield tossed a three-hitter over seven innings as the Boston Red Sox swept past the Tampa Bay Devil Rays 7-3. Wakefield (3-2) allowed one run with two strikeouts and two walks. Mark Bellhorn belted a three-run homer while Bill Mueller had three hits and an RBI and Manny Ramirez added three hits.
Tino Martinez drove in two runs for the Devil Rays. Mark Hendrickson (2-4) surrendered six runs on eight hits over six innings.
In Arlington, Carlos Beltran and Matt Stairs clubbed three-run homers to help the Kansas City Royals beat the Texas Rangers 7-6.
Mike Sweeney also homered for the Royals while Angel Berroa and Benito Santiago both had three hits. Scott Sullivan (3-0) allowed one run on one hit in 2 2/3 innings before Nate Field recorded the last three outs for his first major league save.
RA Dickey (4-3) gave up six runs on 10 hits over 5 1/3 innings for the loss. Herbert Perry homered for Texas.
In Oakland, Rondell White and Craig Monroe homered to guide the Detroit Tigers to a 5-1 win over the Athletics.
Carlos Guillen added a two-run triple for the Tigers. Jeremy Bonderman (4-2) went seven innings, allowing one run on four hits with five strikeouts and three walks.
Erubiel Durazo homered for Oakland. Rich Harden (2-3) gave up three runs on six hits over six innings to take the loss.
In Seattle, Larry Bigbie drilled a three-run homer as the Baltimore Orioles cruised past the Mariners 7-2.
Melvin Mora had three hits and drove in two runs for the Orioles. Daniel Cabrera (2-0) allowed two runs on six hits over 6 2/3 innings for the win.
Freddy Garcia (1-3) gave up five runs on seven hits over six innings to take the loss. He struck out four batters and walked three.
In Anaheim, Adam Riggs drove in the winning run with a bases-loaded single in the bottom of the 11th inning to give the Angels a 1-0 victory over the New York Yankees.
Scot Shields (2-0) picked up the win with two shutout innings of relief. Jeff DaVanon had three hits for the Angels.
Paul Quantrill (4-2) took the loss after allowing one run on four hits in 1 1/3 innings. The Yankees recorded only three hits.
