Chicago Cubs starter Drew Smyly carried a perfect game bid into the eighth inning on Friday night only to see it evaporate in the most heartbreaking way imaginable.
On a 0-1 count at the top of the inning, Smyly delivered to Los Angeles Dodgers pinch-hitter David Peralta, who dribbled a ball up the third base line. It would have been a difficult play but a makable one for Smyly, who grabbed the ball and turned to fire toward first base.
That’s when the unthinkable happened.
Catcher Yan Gomes was also tracking the ball and despite his best attempt, was unable to stop his forward momentum. He collided with Smyly, falling over the top of the pitcher and ultimately ending his bid for a perfect game.
THIS is how Drew Smyly's perfect game bid ends??? pic.twitter.com/AHaiPZ0pA7
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) April 21, 2023
After the game, a 13-0 Cubs win, manager David Ross was asked if he would have kept Smyly in during the ninth inning and his response added a little levity to the whole situation.
David Ross asked if he would’ve kept Drew Smyly in for the 9th if he kept his perfect game intact with a high pitch count: “Ya I would’ve rode him harder than Yan did.” #Cubs pic.twitter.com/czjPOlWPBr
— Josh Frydman (@Josh_Frydman) April 21, 2023
“I was gonna ride him harder than Yan did,” Ross said before adding with a chuckle, “Him and Yan were in lockstep, right there until the end, I guess.”
Smyly said losing the perfect game bid was “disappointing” but noted that it shouldn’t take away from the team’s overall performance, which was their best of the season.
