The Indians’ Len Barker pitches the 9th perfect game in 20th century major league history, 3 – 0 over the Blue Jays before just 7,290 fans on a rainy night at Cleveland Stadium. Last year’s American League strikeoutleader, Barker fans 11. It is the 11th time in major league history the feat has been accomplished, and the first time in 13 years since it’s been done, by Catfish Hunter in 1968.

ByBaseball

The Indians’ Len Barker pitches the 9th perfect game in 20th century major league history, 3 – 0 over the Blue Jays before just 7,290 fans on a rainy night at Cleveland Stadium. Last year’s American League strikeoutleader, Barker fans 11. It is the 11th time in major league history the feat has been accomplished, and the first time in 13 years since it’s been done, by Catfish Hunter in 1968.

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5/15/1981: Graig Nettles homered off Seattle’s Brian Allard in Yankee Stadium. It came in the first inning with two on and one out and was rained out in the third inning.

ByThis Day in Baseball

5/15/1981: Graig Nettles homered off Seattle’s Brian Allard in Yankee Stadium. It came in the first inning with two on and one out and was rained out in the third inning.

Len BArker Perfect Game

Len Barker of the Cleveland Indians pitches a perfect game against the Toronto Blue Jays

ByThis Day in Baseball

On May 15, 1981, Len Barker of the Cleveland Indians pitches a perfect game against the Toronto Blue Jays. Barker wins a 3-0 decision in hurling the first perfect game since Jim “Catfish” Hunter’s masterpiece in 1968. Only 7,290 attended the game at Municipal Stadium.  

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1978 – J.R. Richard two-hits Philadelphia in a 5-0 shutout. He fans nine and allows two harmless singles. Bob Watson ‘s two-run homer paces the offense. Phillie catcher Bob Boone has a rough night, committing two errors and suffering five bruises before being tossed in an argument with umpire Bruce Froemming. 

ByTom

1978 – J.R. Richard two-hits Philadelphia in a 5-0 shutout. He fans nine and allows two harmless singles. Bob Watson ‘s two-run homer paces the offense. Phillie catcher Bob Boone has a rough night, committing two errors and suffering five bruises before being tossed in an argument with umpire Bruce Froemming. 

His 7th-inning, two-run homer moves Willie Stargell past the late Roberto Clemente into sole possession of second place on Pittsburgh’s all-time RBI list, his total of 1,307 now trailing only Honus Wagner’s 1,475. Stargell’s blast takes a page out of his late mentor’s book, going out to the opposite field. It concludes a four-run 7th, giving Pittsburgh starter Bert Blyleven a five-run cushion which proves inadequate as the Dodgers storm back with three-spots in the 7th and 9th, featuring, respectively, Reggie Smith’s two-run home run and walk-off, two-run double.

ByBaseball

His 7th-inning, two-run homer moves Willie Stargell past the late Roberto Clemente into sole possession of second place on Pittsburgh’s all-time RBI list, his total of 1,307 now trailing only Honus Wagner’s 1,475. Stargell’s blast takes a page out of his late mentor’s book, going out to the opposite field. It concludes a four-run 7th, giving Pittsburgh starter Bert Blyleven a five-run cushion which proves inadequate as the Dodgers storm back with three-spots in the 7th and 9th, featuring, respectively, Reggie Smith’s two-run home run and walk-off, two-run double.

Mark Fidrych wins his first major league start, a complete-game two-hit, 2 – 1 victory over the Indians

Mark Fidrych wins his first major league start, a complete-game two-hit, 2 – 1 victory over the Indians

ByThis Day in Baseball

Mark Fidrych wins his first major league start, a complete-game two-hit, 2 – 1 victory over the Indians. The Bird holds the Indians hitless for six innings, talks to the ball, and tamps down the mound before toeing the rubber each inning.

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5/15/1974 – The Giants skipped a batter in the eighth inning. In the sixth inning, Bobby Bonds pinch-hit for the pitcher. He stayed in the game in the ninth spot in the order and the new pitcher batted in the first spot. The next time around the order, Bonds homered and Tito Fuentes hit for the pitcher. Mike Phillips should have batted next but Garry Maddox, the number three hitter, came to the plate instead and made an out. The Reds said nothing in this case and eventually won the game, 4-3.

ByTom

5/15/1974 – The Giants skipped a batter in the eighth inning. In the sixth inning, Bobby Bonds pinch-hit for the pitcher. He stayed in the game in the ninth spot in the order and the new pitcher batted in the first spot. The next time around the order, Bonds homered and Tito Fuentes hit for the pitcher. Mike Phillips should have batted next but Garry Maddox, the number three hitter, came to the plate instead and made an out. The Reds said nothing in this case and eventually won the game, 4-3.

At Riverfront Stadium, Reds pitcher Roger Nelson has his no-hitter broken up by Bobby Bonds, who clubs a two-run homer in the 8th. Chris Speier homers in the 9th for the other Giants hit and Nelson finishes with a 4 – 3 win.

ByBaseball

At Riverfront Stadium, Reds pitcher Roger Nelson has his no-hitter broken up by Bobby Bonds, who clubs a two-run homer in the 8th. Chris Speier homers in the 9th for the other Giants hit and Nelson finishes with a 4 – 3 win.

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1973 – A furious GM Spec Richardson posts a message on the Astrodome scoreboard blaming recent Houston losses on umpires Bruce Froemming and Augie Donatelli. Froemming had negated a key inning-ending double play during a 4-1 defeat to Atlanta, ruling the Astros missed second base. Donatelli’s gaffe, two days earlier, was to rule a Bobby Tolan home run fair after it had landed foul. The league fines Richardson $300.

ByTom

1973 – A furious GM Spec Richardson posts a message on the Astrodome scoreboard blaming recent Houston losses on umpires Bruce Froemming and Augie Donatelli. Froemming had negated a key inning-ending double play during a 4-1 defeat to Atlanta, ruling the Astros missed second base. Donatelli’s gaffe, two days earlier, was to rule a Bobby Tolan home run fair after it had landed foul. The league fines Richardson $300.