Halladay Pitched Perfect Game Against Marlins

MIAMI - The Philadelphia ace, Roy Halladay, on Saturday reached a milestone in his brilliant career, launching the twentieth perfect game in major league history, in mourning the Phillies won 1-0 to Marlins Florida.

It was the second perfect game in the majors registered for this month. Dallas Braden did it for Oakland against Tampa Bay on May 9 only. It is also the first time in the modern era to record two perfect games in the same campaign _además the Ubaldo Jimenez in April launched a no-hitter, for Colorado_.

Halladay struck out 11 enemy and forced to pinch-hitter Ronny Paulino hit a safe shot to conclude the match. The ace of the mound was cheered by a crowd of 25 086 spectators for much of the night.

Though the Phillies made a couple of good plays defensively, Halladay did not need much help to achieve his feat.

In fact, the show on Saturday was carried out by one man.

Halladay (7-3), always stoic and serious on the mound, revealed a wide smile when his battery mate, Carlos Ruiz, ran up to congratulate him. Then came all the others for the tumultuous celebration.

For several seasons, Halladay has looked unbeatable on the mound, and former Cy Young winner in the American League was the protagonist of a trade involving several teams and Toronto sent him to the Phillies, twice champions of the National League force, before this campaign.

On September 27, 1998 came within one out of throwing the no-hitter in what was only his second start in the majors, working for the Blue Jays against Detroit. Pinch-hitter Bobby Higginson frustrated that feat in the first pitch Halladay him, to hit a home run.

This time, three emerging Halladay faced the Marlins in the ninth inning. Mike Lamb led off with a long high that was caught on the warning track in center field. Wes Helms struck out looking and Paulino hit his grounder to third baseman replacement, Juan Castro, who only had to move a little to the left to catch the ball.

It was the second perfect game in Phillies history. Jim Bunning did one in 1964.

In the short list of perfect games in the history of the majors, there were two released five days apart in 1880 (from John Richmond and John Ward), two decades before what is considered the modern era of baseball.

For the Phillies, Dominican Wilson Valdez 4-2 with a scored. The Mexican Castro 4-2. The Panamanian Ruiz 4-2.

For the Marlins, Hanley Ramirez of the Dominican Republic 3-0, Paulino 1-0. Jorge Cantu 3-0.