(670 The Score) Cubs left-hander Drew Smyly’s serious flirtation with history was broken up in one of the most heartbreaking ways imaginable Friday afternoon.
Smyly had his perfect game broken up in the eighth inning when Dodgers outfielder David Peralta chopped a dribbler down the third-base line to lead off the frame and Smyly and Cubs catcher Yan Gomes collided while trying to field the ball. The potential play at first base would’ve been a bang-bang call.
Peralta was the lead-off batter in the eighth. Smyly stayed in to record two more outs, then exited to a thunderous ovation as his Cubs led 13-0. Smyly threw 7 2/3 scoreless innings, striking out 10 while allowing just the lone infield single.
Smyly was seeking to become the 24th player in MLB history to throw a perfect game. No Cubs pitcher has ever done it.
Former Mariners ace Felix Hernandez was the last pitcher to throw a perfect game in MLB, doing so on Aug. 15, 2012 against the Rays.
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