What is a perfect game
A perfect game in Major League Baseball occurs when a single pitcher (or multiple pitchers working in succession) retires every batter faced in at least nine completed innings without allowing any opposing player to reach base safely by any means. No hits, no walks, no hit-by-pitches, no errors, no dropped third strikes that allow a runner to reach, and no interference that permits a batter to reach. Because the definition depends on safe reaching rather than simply putouts, scorekeeping, and strict adherence to official rules, perfect games are exceptionally rare even in a full 162-game season.
The most recent MLB perfect game
The most recent MLB perfect game was thrown on August 15, 2012, by Félix Hernández of the Seattle Mariners against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Hernández retired all 27 batters he faced in a 1–0 victory, recording 12 strikeouts and no walks. He threw 117 pitches, 77 for strikes. This has been the only MLB perfect game since the modern era began in 1901.
Key details of the Hernández perfect game
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Pitcher | Félix Hernández | MLB box score |
| Date | August 15, 2012 | MLB official records |
| Teams | Seattle Mariners at Tampa Bay Rays | MLB box score |
| Innings | 9 | MLB official records |
| Batters faced | 27 | MLB official records |
| Hits | 0 | MLB official records |
| Walks | 0 | MLB official records |
| Runs | 0 | MLB official records |
| Strikeouts | 12 | MLB official records |
| Pitches thrown | 117 (77 strikes) | MLB pitch-tracking data |
Definitions and relationship with other no-hit achievements
A no-hitter is broader: a pitcher or staff completes at least nine innings without allowing hits, but walks, errors, and other means of reaching base are permitted. A combined no-hitter involves multiple pitchers and meets the same standard—no hits—but may include walks and errors. A perfect game is the strictest subset: no hits, no walks, no hit-by-pitches, no errors, and no runner reaching base by any means. Understanding these distinctions clarifies why perfect games are far rarer than no-hitters. We rely on the official rules from Major League Baseball for definitions.
Notable near-misses and common misconceptions
Many games have come close to perfection—often described in media as one strikeout or one walk away—but only games meeting the strict standard are recognized as perfect games. For example, some historically celebrated no-hitters included walks or errors and are not classified as perfect. Media discussions may refer to "the last perfect game" without confirming the exact date and context, so it’s important to anchor the timeline on verified records. Since Hernández’s 2012 performance, no pitcher has achieved the feat, though several no-hitters and near-perfect outings have occurred.
Frequency and rarity of perfect games
Perfect games are rarer than no-hitters because they exclude all forms of base reaching. Factors include high levels of defensive support, strong umpiring consistency, ballpark configurations that do not aid baserunning, and the inherent difficulty of retiring 27 consecutive batters cleanly. Historical frequency reflects these constraints: prior to Hernández, the modern list includes a handful of verified perfect games, and the gap before 2012 underscores how seldom all conditions align. Wide discrepancies in reported numbers sometimes arise from conflated definitions; authoritative counts treat perfect games as a distinct, narrowly defined category.
Clarifying common questions
Because the term "perfect game" is widely used but sometimes applied loosely, a concise set of clarifications helps maintain accuracy.
- A perfect game requires zero baserunners by any means; a no-hitter allows walks and errors.
- Both single-pitcher and combined efforts can be perfect games if all rules are met.
- Dropped third strikes and interference that allow a runner prevent a perfect game.
- Media headlines may announce "perfect game" before official confirmation; verify with box-score details.
- Performance-enhancing drug use or unusual weather does not change the factual record once verified.