ANNOUNCER
Bernie Johnson: We’re in the top of the ninth, and if you’ve been with us tonight, you know we’re watching history unfold. Thompson is one out away from perfection. One more, and he’ll join the elite minor league pitchers who’ve thrown a perfect game.
Oliver Reeves: He’s sweating bullets out there, Bern. And I don’t think it’s just this sweltering July heat.
Bernie: This is a career-making moment. Every team in the league will know his name if he can finish it.
Bernie: Here we go. The one-two pitch…
Thompson deals.
Swing and contact!
High in the air. Center field and deep…
Olander’s back, on the warning track, at the wall.
Olander jumps and—
HE MADE THE CATCH! OH, WHAT A PLAY! HE PULLED IT RIGHT BACK AS IT WAS GOING OVER THE WALL!
Oliver: I can’t believe my eyes! Did that really just happen?! Pinch me, Bern, pinch me.
Bernie: Olander doesn’t let go, Ollz. Ever. And with it, he’s saved Thompson’s perfect game. Twenty-seven batters, twenty-seven outs!
Oliver: Look at Thompson. He’s dropped to his knees on the mound. I don’t know if it’s relief or disbelief that he just threw the greatest game of his life.
Bernie: Here comes the infield surrounding him. The outfield and bullpen are running in. The dugout too. And now, here comes Olander.
Oliver: Are they…? Yes, they are! Thompson is on Olander’s shoulders!
Bernie: This is the beauty of baseball, Oliver. You never do anything alone. History was made this afternoon, folks. A perfect game for Bryce Thompson secured with a home run robbery by Jackson Olander.