Matt Garza Flirts with Perfect Game

Matt Garza of the Tampa Bay Rays flirted with a perfect game on Thursday evening in a showdown with the division rival Boston Red Sox. Garza’s perfect game was broken up in the top of the seventh inning when Jacoby Ellsbury got an infield single in the top of the seventh inning.

Garza finished the night was 7.2 innings pitched while giving up only one hit and one walk. He struck out ten batters on his way to lowering his season’s ERA to 3.82 and picking up his second win. Grant Balfour finished off the game and the Rays easily beat the Red Sox by a final count of 13-0.

At the plate, the hitting hero for the Rays was Evan Longaria. The second-year star went 3-for-5 with three runs and four RBIs. His big hit was a homer in the sixth inning. Backup catcher Michel Hernandez was 4-for-5 with a run and three RBIs.

On the mound for the Red Sox, Josh Beckett struggled mightily. He gave up seven earned runs in 4.2 innings. He allowed ten hits and three walks. After looking impressive in his first start of the season, Beckett has looked worse and worse as the season has progressed. He now sports a 7.22 ERA after five starts.

Matt Garza, Tampa Bay Rays (Image: Newscom)