Full Breakdown
Thomas Pannone Throws First Minor-League Perfect Game in Nine Years
9/9/2026, 7:08:35 AM
The Perfect Game
On September 7, 2026, left-hander Thomas Pannone delivered a nine-inning perfect game for the Triple-A Nashville Sounds against the Durham Bulls at Durham Bulls Athletic Park. The Sounds won 3-0. Pannone retired all 27 batters on 94 pitches (61 strikes), recorded eight strikeouts, and never allowed a walk or hit. The final out came when he induced a grounder from Homer Bush Jr. to shortstop Eduardo Garcia, who threw to first baseman Blake Burke.
Background & Context
A perfect game—27 consecutive outs with no baserunner—is exceedingly rare at any level. In the 142-year history of the International League, Pannone’s effort is only the fifth individual nine-inning perfect game. The previous IL perfect games were thrown by Dick Marlowe (1952), Tomo Ohka (2000), Bronson Arroyo (2003) and Justin Germano (2011). The Nashville Sounds have recorded three perfect games in franchise history; the earlier ones were by Manny Parra (2007) and John Wasdin (2003). The last minor-league perfect game by a single pitcher occurred in 2017, when Tyler Mahle and Domenic Mazza each threw one.
Pannone, a 32-year-old journeyman, debuted in the majors with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2018 and has since moved through five MLB organizations and a stint in the Korean Baseball Organization. Prior to the September outing he had a 5-3 record and a 4.23 ERA in 22 Triple-A appearances for Nashville.
Data & Statistics
- Pitches: 94 total (61 strikes) – qualifies as a “Maddux” (complete game under 100 pitches).
- Strikeouts: 8 (including MLB veterans Nick Madrigal and Jack Suwinski).
- Score: Nashville Sounds 3, Durham Bulls 0.
- Season line: 5-3, 4.23 ERA, 4.67 ERA in 21 games (19 starts) before the game (per MLB Pipeline).
- Career minor-league totals: 1,021 2/3 innings, 3.95 ERA, 987 strikeouts in 220 games.
- Career MLB totals: 7-8 record, 5.47 ERA, 104 strikeouts in 121 2/3 innings.
Official Statements & Responses
Both statements framed the achievement as a milestone for the player and the affiliate without projecting future roster moves.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I just felt like God was on my side,” — Thomas Pannone, veteran
- “To keep showing up and keep doing it every time I get the ball, every time I get a chance, it’s pretty cool,” — Thomas Pannone, veteran
- “Around baseball these days, it’s so much about stuff, so much about velo,” — Thomas Pannone, veteran
- “In my head, I’m like, ‘Dude, I’m not going down by walking this guy,’” — Thomas Pannone, veteran
On-the-Ground Report
Pannone’s early innings featured a few three-ball counts, including a 3-0 count on Carson Williams in the second inning, which he escaped with a fly-out. He settled into a rhythm, never exceeding 12 pitches in any inning. The ninth inning presented the only true danger: after falling behind 3-0 on Homer Bush Jr., Pannone fired a called strike and then a sinker that produced the game-ending groundout. The crowd of 6,637 gave a standing ovation as teammates rushed the mound.
What’s Next
No future events related to the perfect game were announced in the source material.
