Thursday, July 12, 2012

July 12

1991 Score #705 - Melido Perez

On this day in 1990, Melido Perez threw a no-hitter against the New York Yankees, which was officially unrecognized a few years later, due to the length of the game.

The six inning rain shortened affair was the second time in less than two weeks that Andy Hawkins of the Yankees was pitching when a no-hitter was tossed. Both times he would be on the losing end and both would be slightly odd. The first came at Comiskey Park, where Andy threw a no-hitter, but lost the game 4-0. The second happened when Melido threw a no-hitter against him. For a short time, Melido joined his brother Pascual in the no-hit club. Pascual was actually in the Yankees dugout during Melido's no-hitter. Perez would strike out nine and walk four Yankee batters. The Yankees came close to ending the no-hitter in the fifth inning with two out. Alvaro Espinoza hit a high drive to right-center field, but Lance Johnson was able to get a great jump and made a running catch preserving the pitching gem. In September 1991, commissioner Fay Vincent chaired the Committee on Statistical Accuracy, which changed the definition of a no-hitter. Both Melido and Pascual Perez had their no-hitters thrown from the history books because they were both rain shortened outings. Ironically, since Andy Hawkins only pitched eight innings in his no-hitter on July 1, 1990, it was also stricken from the record.

Melido joined the White Sox in December 1987, when he came to the ChiSox along with Greg Hibbard, John Davis and minor leaguer Chuck Mount in exchange for Dave Cochrane and Floyd Bannister. Perez stayed with the Pale Hose through the 1991 season. Melido was traded to the New York Yankees with Bob Wickman and Domingo Jean for Steve Sax. Melido effectively replaced his brother Pascual on the Yankee roster, since 1991 was Pascual's last year in the majors.

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