Expos History: Pedro Martinez Perfect for Nine Innings
On this day in 1995, Montreal Expos starter Pedro Martinez set down the first 27 batters he faced. Unfortunately, the game went into extra innings.
Harvey Haddix became known throughout MLB history for firing 12 perfect innings before losing his gem, and the game, in the 13th inning. Until this day in 1995, it was the only time a pitcher had a perfect game head into extra innings. Then, Montreal Expos starter Pedro Martinez joined Haddix in that exclusive club.
As was to be expected, Martinez was utterly brilliant in the game against the Padres. He struck out nine batters in those nine innings, making quick work of the overmatched San Diego offense. However, Joey Hamilton matched him zero for zero, shutting down the Expos through nine innings as well.
Montreal finally broke through in the top of the tenth. With one out, Shane Andrews grounded a base hit through the hole at short. After a failed bunt attempt led to the second out, Lou Frazier walked. Jeff Treadway followed with a base hit to right, plating Andrews and giving Montreal a 1-0 lead.
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This set the stage for Martinez to potentially make history. He was already just the second pitcher to have a perfect game head into extra innings, joining Haddix's ill-fated gem in 1959. The Expos had given Martinez the lead; he just needed to record three more outs.
Instead, he would not even get the first batter out. Bip Roberts lined Martinez' 2-0 pitch to right for a double, spoiling the perfect game and no hitter in one swing. That would also prove to be the end for Pedro, who was taken out of the game for Mel Rojas.
Rojas was a bit of an adventure on the mound that night. A wild pitch sent Roberts to third with no outs, but he quickly worked through the jam. Steve Finley grounded to first, holding the runner at third. Another grounder, this time off the bat of Tony Gwynn to second, led to an attempt to score, but Roberts was cut down at the plate by Treadway. Rojas then got Ken Caminiti to pop up, preserving the Expos victory.
For Martinez, that would be the closest he would come to throwing a no hitter. He had other moments of pure dominance, and put together a truly spectacular career, but never got that no hitter. Of course, his three Cy Young awards, World Series title in 2004, and status as the greatest pitcher of the late 1990's and into the mid 2000's mitigates that missing part of his resume.
On this day in 1995, Pedro Martinez was perfect for nine innings. Unfortunately, the Expos needed ten innings to pull out a win.
