Washington National pitcher Max Scherzer was one strike away from a perfect game Saturday afternoon at Nationals Park, dominating the Pirates in a 6-0 win, but had to settle for a no-hitter after hitting Jose Tabata with a pitch.
Scherzer struck out 10 batters and breezed through the first two outs of the ninth inning, but Tabata put up a fight in his only at-bat of the game. After fouling off four pitches, Tabata was hit on the elbow, breaking up Scherzer’s perfect game.
The Nationals broadcasters calling the game (along with countless fans on Twitter) noted that Tabata appeared to lean into the pitch in order to get hit, but home plate umpire Mike Muchlinski ruled the play to be an HBP and sent Tabata to first.