Jays Starter Returns From IL With Run At Perfect Game

It was perfect timing for Ross Stripling to be returning for the Toronto Blue Jays. But little did they expect it would be that close to 'perfect.'

Stripling threw six perfect innings in his return to the mound after a stay on the 15-day injured list with a glute/hip strain. His bid for perfection was broken up by a leadoff single in the 7th by the Baltimore Orioles' leadoff man Cedric Mullins.

Cedric Mullins opens T7 with a single, ending a run of six perfect innings by Ross Stripling on his 68th pitch. He threw 67 in his rehab outing last week for Buffalo and between the all-star break and injury, he hasn't gone beyond that since throwing 81 on July 13.

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Stripling was then pulled after his 72nd pitch, five more than he threw in his rehab outing last week at Triple-A. He left the game with 6.1 innings of 1-hit shutout ball, with 7 strikeouts. 

Unfortunately, Austin Voth nearly matched him pitch for pitch on the mound for the Orioles for six innings, and Stripling left the game with the score still at zeros. 

The Jays went on to score six runs in the bottom of the 7th, but because of one of baseball's most ridiculous rules, Stripling will not get credit for the "win". That will go to reliever Yimi Garcia, who came on for Stripling and got two outs. 

Regardless, the Jays got a crucial 6-1 win over the O's, to move 1.5 games back in front of them for the last Wild Card spot. 

Photo: Gerry Angus-USA TODAY Sports