Heartbreak on the Mound: How Orioles’ Brandon Young’s Perfect Game Bid Slipped Away

What a night for rookie Brandon Young! He was so close to a perfect game but lost it in a heartbreaking way on Friday. With two outs in the eighth inning, a weak dribbler rolled his way, and instead of a routine play, he made an errant throw. This slip led to the only hit by the Astros in the Orioles’ 7-0 victory at Dalkin Park.

The official scorer could have ruled it an error, keeping Young’s no-hit dream alive. However, former Orioles player Ramon Urias was credited with a hit instead.

“I thought I could make the play,” Young shared after the game. “I rushed it and pulled the throw. I definitely want it back.” At 26, he had family cheering for him in the stands, hoping to witness history.

Young made 23 outs before Urias sent a soft grounder to his right. Instead of stopping to get his balance, he tried to throw on the run and missed wide. The ball sailed past first baseman Coby Mayo, allowing Urias to reach safely. It was a challenging play, but his rushed throw sealed the no-hit fate.

Yet, Young showed resilience. He managed to strand Urias at second base and finished the game strong, but the thought of that throw lingered. “I was upset about it,” he admitted.

Teammate Jordan Westburg expressed his belief that Young had a real shot at making the play. “It’s a shame, but it’s still a special night for him,” he said. “He shouldn’t dwell on it too much.”

This game was not just about the missed opportunity. Young struck out six batters and delivered his best performance yet, bouncing back from a previous 6.70 ERA. He attributed his success to improved fastball control. “Getting that first win means a lot,” he said. “I can finally breathe a bit.”

The near-perfect game brought excitement to fans, igniting discussions on social media about what could have been. Many praised Young for his resilience and skill. Historical context shows that perfect games in baseball are incredibly rare, making moments like this even more memorable. In fact, only 23 perfect games have been recorded in Major League Baseball history.

This outing will likely boost Young’s confidence moving forward. As the season progresses, fans will be eager to see how he builds on this experience. Young’s performance highlights not just the thrill of the game but also the mental toughness required to excel in professional sports.

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