Veteran left-hander Thomas Pannone became the fifth pitcher in International League history to throw a nine-inning perfect game as the Nashville Sounds defeated the host Durham Bulls 3-0 on Monday afternoon.
Pannone, 32, needed just 94 pitches to retire all 27 batters of the Tampa Bay Rays’ Triple-A affiliate. He recorded eight strikeouts, including one apiece of MLB veterans Nick Madrigal and Jack Suwinski.
Pannone improved his record to 5-3 and his ERA to 4.23 for the Sounds this year. In his lone MLB appearance this season, he allowed three hits and two earned runs over three innings while starting for the Milwaukee Brewers on July 29 against the San Francisco Giants.
For his major league career, Pannone has fashioned a 7-8 record and a 5.47 ERA in 51 appearances (14 starts) for the Toronto Blue Jays (2018-19) and Brewers (2023, 2026).
The Buffalo Bisons’ Dick Marlowe (1952), Pawtucket’s Tomo Ohka (2000) and Bronson Arroyo (2003) and the Columbus Clippers’ Justin Germano (2011) also have thrown nine-inning perfect games in the International League.
