Former MLB catcher A.J. Pierzynski believes the Miami Marlins made the wrong decision by pulling Eury Pérez after seven perfect innings against the Athletics on Sunday. Pérez exited after 92 pitches despite retiring all 21 batters he faced.
The Marlins escaped with a 9-8 victory after their bullpen nearly squandered an 8-0 lead. Pérez finished with seven scoreless innings, eight strikeouts and no hits or walks while becoming just the third pitcher since 1900 to be removed from a perfect game after completing at least seven innings.
Appearing on "Foul Territory," Pierzynski criticized Miami's decision, saying, "The Marlins should've let it ride with Eury Pérez on Sunday. It's one of those once in a lifetime opportunities."
The 23-year-old right-hander signed with Miami as an international free agent out of the Dominican Republic in 2019 and made his MLB debut in 2023. He has been on a managed workload since returning from Tommy John surgery and also missed time earlier this season with right hamstring spasms.
Sunday's outing improved Pérez to 5-6 while lowering his ERA from 4.21 to 3.84. Through 15 starts, he recorded a 1.10 WHIP and 89 strikeouts across 79⅔ innings.
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Manager Clayton McCullough defended the move, saying the Marlins planned to keep Pérez around 90 pitches as they prioritize his health during a postseason push. Miami improved to 49-42 by completing a three-game sweep of the Athletics.
McCullough admitted it was difficult to take Pérez out while he was making history but said protecting one of the organization's most important young pitchers had to come first. The Marlins are expected to continue increasing Pérez's workload gradually before the All-Star break as they remain in the National League wild card race.
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