May 19, 2004

Arizona Johnson Pitches 17th Perfect Game in History

NEW YORK - Randy Johnson pitched the 17th perfect game in major league history to lead the Arizona Diamondbacks to a 2-0 win over the host Atlanta Braves in the National League (NL) Tuesday.

  

Johnson, 40, also became the oldest player to toss a perfect game. Cy Young held the previous record after achieving the feat in 1904 at the age of 37.

Five-times Cy Young Award winner Johnson retired all 27 batters he faced while striking out 13. He threw 117 pitches, a remarkable 87 for strikes.

It was the first perfect game in the major leagues since David Cone achieved the feat for the New York Yankees against the Montreal Expos on July 18, 1999.

Johnson (4-4) became only the seventh pitcher in NL history to deliver a perfect game. Dennis Martinez of the Expos was the last man to do so in the NL, on July 28, 1991.

It was Johnson's second career no-hitter. He struck out Eddie Perez to end the game and earn a standing ovation from the 23,381 fans at Turner Field.

The Braves hit several hard balls off the Arizona pitcher but nothing came close to being a hit. He went to three balls on the count once.

Alex Cintron doubled in a run in the second inning and an RBI single by Chad Tracy in the seventh completed the scoring.

Mike Hampton (0-5) allowed eight hits and two runs in a complete game but took the loss.

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