A leadoff double and then a perfect game.
Lackey retired 27 straight batters after allowing a leadoff double, winning his third straight start by pitching the Los Angeles Angels to a 3-0 victory over the Oakland Athletics on Friday night.
"I knew I was pitching well, but I wasn't aware that nobody got on base until after the game," said Lackey, who had to adjust his footing to keep from slipping. "I knew I hadn't been in the stretch for a while."
Lackey (7-5) matched his career high with 10 strikeouts and threw a one-hitter to outpitch All-Star Barry Zito. It was the right-hander's fifth career complete game and fourth shutout, his first clean slate since a 1-0 win over Tampa Bay on May 7, 2004.
Lackey retired 27 straight batters after allowing a leadoff double, winning his third straight start by pitching the Los Angeles Angels to a 3-0 victory over the Oakland Athletics on Friday night.
"I knew I was pitching well, but I wasn't aware that nobody got on base until after the game," said Lackey, who had to adjust his footing to keep from slipping. "I knew I hadn't been in the stretch for a while."
Lackey (7-5) matched his career high with 10 strikeouts and threw a one-hitter to outpitch All-Star Barry Zito. It was the right-hander's fifth career complete game and fourth shutout, his first clean slate since a 1-0 win over Tampa Bay on May 7, 2004.