Full Breakdown
Eury Pérez’s Seven Perfect Innings Cut Short as Marlins Edge Athletics 9-8
7/7/2026, 3:32:06 PM
Pérez’s Seven Perfect Innings and Marlins’ 9-8 Victory
On Sunday in West Sacramento, California, Miami Marlins right-hander Eury Pérez retired the first 21 batters he faced, delivering seven flawless innings against the Oakland Athletics. After Pérez was lifted for the eighth inning, reliever Lake Bachar allowed a leadoff walk, a single, and a grand slam that reduced the Marlins’ lead to 8-5. Miami stopped the rally with an insurance run in the ninth and held on for a 9-8 win, preserving the victory but ending the bid for a perfect game.
Background & Context
Pérez, a 6-foot-8 pitcher who missed the 2024 season recovering from Tommy John surgery, returned on June 24 after a high-grade strain to his right gracilis muscle that had sidelined him since late May. The Marlins have never recorded a perfect game in their 33-year franchise history, and no combined perfect game has ever occurred in the major leagues. Manager Clayton McCullough entered the game with a pre-set pitch-count limit of 90, a policy aimed at protecting Pérez for a potential postseason run.
Data & Statistics
- Pérez: 7 IP, 21 K, 0 BB, 92 pitches (56 strikes).
- Strikeout rate: 81st percentile league-wide; whiff rate in the 75th percentile (per advanced metrics).
- Marlins offense: Heriberto Hernández hit two solo homers; Otto Lopez (league-leading .346 average) added three RBIs and two runs; Leo Jiménez contributed a two-run homer.
- Bullpen: Bachar faced six batters, recorded no outs, issued a walk to Lawrence Butler, surrendered a single to Joshua Kuroda-Grauer, and allowed a grand slam by Jonah Heim. Pete Fairbanks later gave up three runs (two earned) before closing the game.
- Team record: Miami improved to 49-42; Oakland fell to 3-7 in the series.
Official Statements & Responses
Manager McCullough emphasized the season’s broader goals, noting that preserving Pérez’s health was essential for the Marlins’ postseason aspirations. He clarified that the decision to pull Pérez was based on the pre-established pitch-count ceiling rather than a reaction to in-game performance, and that the bullpen was expected to protect the lead.
Criticism & Opposition
A sizable contingent of Athletics fans voiced displeasure when Pérez was removed, booing the substitution. The bullpen’s inability to secure any outs in the eighth inning drew criticism for jeopardizing a historic achievement and nearly overturning the Marlins’ eight-run advantage.
On-the-Ground Reports
Spectators reported audible boos as McCullough summoned Bachar. The eighth-inning rally featured a rapid succession of hits and a grand slam, creating a tense atmosphere that persisted until Miami’s final run restored a narrow margin.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on Pérez’s strikeout total: one account cites seven strikeouts after six innings, while others record eight strikeouts over seven innings. Additionally, a correction removed a claim that Pérez set a season-high for strikeouts, indicating uncertainty about his exact strikeout count for the game.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Us looking to play beyond the regular season, Eury’s going to be an important part of that,” — Clayton McCullough, Marlins manager
- “I have to think about Eury, one, and our organization… to give us a chance to continue to win games. So I made a calculated decision with where he was with his pitch count.” — Clayton McCullough
- “ Go Ad-Free McCullough also confirmed there was absolutely no consideration to let him go batter by batter.” — Clayton McCullough
- “The crowd full of A's fans booed when McCullough replaced Pérez with reliever Lake Bachar to begin the eighth.” — Game report
- “It was the fourth time this year he didn't walk anyone.” — Game report
What’s Next
The Marlins open a three-game series in Seattle on Tuesday, while the Athletics travel to Detroit to face the Tigers that night.
