Drew Smyly was on the verge of history when he retired the first 21 batters he faced, but the 22nd didn’t go the way anyone expected at Wrigley Field except the Los Angeles Dodgers.
David Peralta dribbled a broken bat bunt along the third base line that both Smyly and catcher Yan Gomes ran after. Smyly picked up the ball and looked to catch Peralta early on, but Gomes collided with the lefty from behind.
Gomes looked to get out of Smyly’s way, but he did it too late and ran into his pitcher.
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Chicago Cubs catcher Yan Gomes collides with Cubs starting pitcher Drew Smyly, preventing a throw to first base and wiping out a chance for a perfect game during the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday April 21, 2023 in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)
Both players fell to the ground, Smyly in some pain and Gomes in some agony, and Peralta reached base safely, ending the perfect game bid.
It’s likely that Peralta would have made it past the pitch, but no one will ever know.
Smyly retired the next two batters before being thrown out by manager David Ross after 103 pitches. He walked into the dugout to a rousing ovation from the Chicago faithful.
Smyly pitched 7⅔ scoreless innings and allowed just one hit that left the bat at 32.9 mph while striking out 10.
Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Drew Smyly lies on the ground after Chicago Cubs catcher Yan Gomes collided with him, ending a chance at a perfect game during the eighth inning of a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday, April 21, 2023 in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)
The last perfect game remains that of Félix Hernández with the Seattle Mariners on August 15, 2012. That year there were three perfect ones: on April 21 by Phillip Humber, on June 13 by Matt Cain and by Hernández.
The last no-hitter thrown by a pitcher was on May 10 by Reid Detmers of the Los Angeles Angels.
The Houston Astros had a combined two no-hitters last year, one in Game 4 of the World Series for the third no-hitter in postseason history.
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The Cubs won the matinee, 13-0.