Thomas Pannone Throws 5th Perfect Game in IL History to Down Bulls
Durham, NC — Thomas Pannone tossed just the fifth nine-inning perfect game in the 142-year history of the International League, needing just 94 pitches to retire all 27 Durham batters as the Nashville Sounds vanquished the Bulls 3-0 on Labor Day Monday at the DBAP .
Pannone’s (W, 5-3) 94th pitch induced a grounder to shortstop Eduardo Garcia, who threw out Homer Bush to conclude the first I.L. nine-inning perfect game in 15 years.
The Sounds’ dugout exploded onto the field to celebrate Pannone’s feat on his manager Rick Sweet’s 74th birthday.
After a groundout and flyout started the last of the ninth, Pannone nearly lost his perfect moment, falling behind Bush 3-0. Bush took Pannone’s 93rd pitch for a strike before tapping out weakly.
Nashville (34-29) took a 1-0 lead in the third on a single by Garcia, which scored Jacob Hurtubise who bunted for a single and stole second base.
In the fourth, the Sounds moved ahead 2-0 after a double by catcher Ramon Rodriguez led to Jeferson Quero being thrown out at the plate. However, Durham catcher Caden Bodine’s throw to third base attempting to cut down Rodriguez escaped down the left field line, allowing Rodriguez to circle the bases.
Garcia homered in the eighth against Kodi Whitley to push the Bulls (33-30) behind 3-0.
After an off-day on Tuesday, the series continues on Wednesday night at 6:45 PM ET with
Mason Englert (2-6, 4.78) slated to oppose Coleman Crow (8-1, 3.41).
Notes: The perfect game was the fifth nine-inning complete game perfect game in the 142-year history of the International League… Pannone never threw more than 12 pitches inany of his nine innings… Pannone went to just three 3-ball counts in the outing… Following the celebration on the field and in the clubhouse, the entire Sounds team returned to the field for pictures, including shots of Pannone with his catcher Rodriguez. Moments later, the Durham grounds crew dug up the pitching rubber from the mound and presented it to Pannone as a historical memento.