The Perfect Game Conundrum

[Edgy MD]

A pitcher pitches a perfect game through nine innings. Unfortunately, the opposition has also shut out his team, so the game proceeds to extra innings in search of resolution.

Because the world has gone mad, when that same player has taken the mound in the 10th, the opposition team is gifted a baserunner on second. DOES THIS BASERUNNER, GIFT THOUGH HE MAY BE, END THE PERFECT GAME?

You may have an inkling to say yes, on the technicality that PERFECT GAME means NO BASERUNNERS, but your sense of justice prevails, and you instead say no.

If this is the case, let's pretend that the gift baserunner is one Tim Locastro. Feeling fresh in his legs, Tim steals third. DOES THIS STOLEN BASE, NOW BEING A BASE THE OPPOSITION HAS IN FACT EARNED, EVEN IF IT WAS EARNED ON TOP OF A GIFT ADVANCEMENT TO SECOND, END THE PERFECT GAME?

You may say yes or you may say no. While you think about this, consider the situation beyond that. Maybe Locastro steals home(?!). And with the pitcher's inept team failing to score in their half of the inning, DOES THE STUNNING EFFORT RESULTING IN AN ACTUAL LOSS END THE PERFECT GAME?

Lastly, forget those stolen bases. What if Locastro goes from second to third on a groundout, and then scores on a sacrifice fly, not even particularly deep. Again, in this scenario, the pitcher has taken the loss. NOW, WITHOUT EVEN A STOLEN BASE MARKED AGAINST HIS RECORD, BUT STILL TAKING THE LOSS, END THE PERFECT GAME?

Food for thought at the table of Rob Manfred.

[nymr83]

Maybe it would just be a blessing in disguise for the pitcher. I couldn't name every pitcher who has thrown a no-hitter, or even a perfect game, but I remember Armando Galaragga for NOT throwing one. Likewise, I couldn't name every Mets post-season homerun, but I'll always remember Robin Ventura's "Single" that left the ballpark - a pitcher finding himself in your hypothetical situation below would be remembered forever!

But, more likely, he'd just get pulled by his manager after 9 innings because of a pitch count.

[Gwreck]

Proof once again that Manfred has actively tried to ruin baseball.

Answering the question: should the only run be scored without a hit, walk, error, HBP, wild pitch on strike 3 — yes, it’s still a perfect game.

[Fman99]

Proof once again that Manfred has actively tried to ruin baseball.

Answering the question: should the only run be scored without a hit, walk, error, HBP, wild pitch on strike 3 — yes, it’s still a perfect game.

I disagree. You can't have a perfect game and a baserunner. I think the perfect game is invalidated once the 10th inning starts. It's still a no-no of course. If your perfect game is ruined because the commissioner of MLB ruined it then that is what it is.

Of course, the true ruin of baseball is the DH, not the ghost runner.

[metirish]

Didn't Pedro pitch a perfect 9 ,and into the 10th inning ?

[Benjamin Grimm]

Of course, the true ruin of baseball is the DH, not the ghost runner.

Both are dumb and unnecessary.