01-14-2020, 05:37 AM
SAN FRANCISCO - One more strike. Another couple of feet on a line drive. Thats all that stood between Yusmeiro Petit and one of the most unlikely perfect games in history. Petit lost his bid for a perfect game on Eric Chavezs pinch-hit single with two out in the ninth, and then recovered to retire the final batter in the San Francisco Giants 3-0 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday night. "It doesnt get any closer than that," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. "A strike away and a couple feet away from catching it. Just a beautiful game that he pitched." Petit (3-0) retired the first 26 batters in a remarkably efficient performance, and then got two strikes on Chavez before unleashing a tempting curveball. But the veteran third baseman laid off that 2-2 curveball that Petit was certain he would chase. Chavez lined the next pitch to right field and Petit crouched as the ball left the bat. The Venezuelan pitcher put both hands over his head after Hunter Pence could only short-hop the ball after a valiant diving effort. "The last two outs, it can go either way," Petit said through an interpreter. "I went to 3-2 count. I just wanted to throw a good pitch. Chavez got the hit." Pence made a terrific catch on a similar play to help preserve a no-hitter by Tim Lincecum in San Diego on July 13. But he just missed preserving this piece of perfection. "I gave it my best effort, but it wasnt enough," Pence said. "A low liner in front of me. I felt when it was hit I was in a dream where I could not run fast enough. Off the bat it looked a little short." The crowd of 41,190 fans responded with a standing ovation for Petit, who struck out seven in his 95-pitch gem. A.J. Pollock grounded out to third to finish Petits first career complete game. Petit became the 12th player to lose a perfect game with two outs in the ninth inning and second this year, joining Texas ace Yu Darvish, who was nearly perfect against Houston in April. "My thought is hes pitched a great game now lets break his heart," Arizona manager Kirk Gibson said. Gibson picked Chavez for that task because of his experience. Chavez had never faced Petit before, but he went in the clubhouse to watch him pitch in the fifth inning to be prepared if he was needed late in the game. "I wasnt trying to break his heart, I was trying to break it up," Chavez said. "Its a pride thing." Before the ninth, the closest Arizona came to a hit was pitcher Patrick Corbins sinking line drive to left that forced defensive replacement Juan Perez to make a shoestring catch for the final out of the sixth. "Bochy called me into the game and told me it might be an interesting game for me," Perez said. "Off the bat I thought it was hit harder than it was. I got a tough read on it. But I was still able to make the diving catch." Pence had three hits, including a home run, and scored all three runs. Brett Pill and Hector Sanchez also drove in runs. Corbin (13-6) tossed eight strong innings, giving up eight hits. He struck out five and walked one. Petit broke into the majors in 2006 with the Marlins, and then spent the next three years with Arizona. He was waived after the 2009 season and eventually landed in San Francisco. He was designated for assignment twice this season but stuck with the Giants and has won each of his three starts since being called up late last month to make a case for a roster spot next season. "Just a beautiful game," Bochy said. "A tremendous display of pitching. He was pounding the strike zone all day with all his pitches. Hes fought his way to get back up here. He was up here earlier and went back to Fresno. Hes just done a tremendous job and hes trying to send a message that this is where he belongs and where he should be pitching." Petit, making his 40th career start, needed 65 pitches to get through seven innings. The right-hander went to a three-ball count twice and did not throw more than five pitches to any one batter through seven. Pence singled and scored on an error by shortstop Chris Owings in the second. He doubled and scored on Hector Sanchezs base hit in the fourth. Pence then hit a drive to left in the eighth for San Franciscos first homer at home since Aug. 21. Sanchez went 3 for 3 and also was behind the plate for Petits best start of his career. "We had a good plan," Petit said. "We had good communication through the whole game." NOTES: Giants LHP Dan Runzler cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Fresno. ... Giants C Buster Posey missed his third straight game with a swollen right ring finger. Hes expected to miss at least two more games. ... RHP Matt Cain (8-8, 4.43 ERA) will start Saturday nights game for the Giants. Hes 14-6 in 31 starts against the Diamondbacks. ... RHP Brandon McCarthy (3-9, 4.94) gets the start Saturday for the Diamondbacks. Hes coming off his eighth career complete game. ... The gametime temperature of 72 degrees made it the hottest night game of the season in San Francisco. Vinny Testaverde Jersey .com) - The New York Jets have named Mike Maccagnan their new general manager. Justice Hill Jersey .Y. -- The Buffalo Bills will head into the regular season short on experience at quarterback after trimming the roster on Friday. http://www.customravensjersey.com/custom...1233d.html . Pearce had a career-high four hits and drove in two runs, and Wei-Yin Chen shut down Texas again as the Orioles completed a four-game sweep of the Rangers with a 5-2 victory on Thursday night. Anquan Boldin Jersey . 98 jersey in a game yet, and already its a big seller. Hayden Hurst Jersey . If there is one club built to handle an off-field controversy, its the Bill Belichick era Patriots. Even if New Englands offence stumbles a bit out of the gate, their defence can help them stay in games, especially in the AFC East with the Buffalo Bills and New York Jets in the first two weeks.DUNEDIN, Florida – General manager Alex Anthopulos was expected to return on Tuesday from a business trip to the Dominican Republic. While he was away, it was the division-rival Baltimore Orioles conducting a little business of their own, scooping up Ubaldo Jimenez on Monday evening to a reported four-year, $50-million contract. Jimenezs signing leaves only one remaining marquee starting pitcher on the market. That would be Ervin Santana, with whom the Jays have been linked for what feels like an eternity. Santana is coming off a strong year for the Royals, in which he authored a 3.24 ERA and a 1.142 WHIP over 211 innings. Hes exceeded the 200-inning plateau in four of the last six seasons, which reflects positively on his durability but would give a club pause when considering how much, and how long, to invest in a 31-year-old. "Some things could still change but were going forward with what we have unless something happens," said manager John Gibbons. "We like this group. Thats not my department. You know, Alex is working hard. Hes been doing it all winter, half of last season, looking at some different options." Its anyones guess who will fill out the back end of the Jays rotation. Esmil Rogers (4-7, 4.89, 1.434 WHIP in 106 2/3 innings as a starter last season) and Todd Redmond (4-2, 4.41, 1.240 WHIP in 69 1/3 innings as a starter last season) appear to have the inside track, if only because both are out of options. Whoever doesnt win the starting job, if he isnt sent to the bullpen, could be lost on waivers if an attempt is made to send him to the minors. There appears to be a preference for starting Drew Hutchison and Kyle Drabek, both of whom had Tommy John elbow surgery during the 2012 seasson but who have returned to full health, at Triple-A Buffalo.dddddddddddd Marcus Stroman, a top prospect, doesnt expect to crack the opening day roster but hopes to prove in spring training he can compete with big league talent. Lefthander Sean Nolin, shelled in his one-off debut against the Orioles last May, could be a factor. Chad Jenkins, who is effective more often than not when called upon, should be afforded consideration. Ricky Romero would have to show significant signs of improvement this spring to have a chance at cracking the roster. Hutchison and Drabek come from similar backgrounds in that theyve both had regular turns in the rotation, only to go down with injury. Now theyre trying to work their way back to Toronto – this time for good – knowing the odds, at least initially, are stacked against them. Drabek pays his predicament no mind. "You just kind of have to go into it thinking its your job," said Drabek. "Ive won a job before and, you know, thats kind of how I prepare for it. Thats how my Dad wanted me to. Just go in there, do every thing you can right and really not think about it." "You obviously have to earn it," said Hutchison. "You got there once so you obviously know youre capable of it and you believe in yourself and you know what you can do. Its really about just coming out here and competing and getting the job done." If Santana eludes them or the term and money prove to be too much of a gamble for Anthopoulos, the Jays will need one of their young pitchers to emerge a pleasant surprise. Its not the situation a team built to win now wants but after a quiet offseason, its the scenario which seems most favourable at the moment. ' ' '