Marlins Pull Pitcher After Seven Perfect Innings

Miami Marlins right-hander Eury Perez retired the first 21 Athletics batters he faced on July 5 before manager Clayton McCullough lifted him after seven innings and 92 pitches. The decision drew boos from Athletics fans in West Sacramento. Perez had struck out eight and thrown only 92 pitches through seven innings in his third start since returning from the injured list.

McCullough said the pre-game plan limited Perez to roughly 90 pitches and that preserving the 23-year-old for a possible postseason run guided the choice. "There was a part of my heartstrings pulling at his opportunity to keep on going, but I have to think about Eury and our organization, our team and what's best moving forward to give us a chance to continue to win games," McCullough said.

Perez, who has never completed a game in his MLB career, called the early exit disappointing but supported the decision. "It's something that doesn't feel good. But they don't know the inside information. I'm very proud of my team and very proud of my manager.

Mostly the communication that we have," Perez said.

Bachar replaced Perez to start the eighth and immediately issued a leadoff walk followed by a single that ended the perfect game and no-hitter. Bachar allowed five earned runs on four hits before Michael Petersen entered. Pete Fairbanks pitched the ninth and surrendered three runs, trimming Miami's lead to one run.

The Marlins had built a nine-run advantage earlier in the game. Heriberto Hernandez hit two home runs for Miami. Leo Jimenez and Otto Lopez each hit one, with Lopez's homer coming in the contest that ended 9-8.