Grit Index: Petit comes one strike shy of perfect game bid in D-backs loss to Giants

The last time the Arizona Diamondbacks saw Yusmeiro Petit wasn’t October 4, 2009. That was his last day with the team.

The last time they saw him was Sunday, when the San Francisco Giants’ right-hander out-dueled Patrick Corbin in an 8-2 Diamondbacks’ loss.

Five days later, Petit again out-dueled Corbin, this time coming one strike shy of throwing the 23rd perfect game in major league history.

The former Diamondbacks pitcher, who was with the team from 2007-09, was nothing short of brilliant Friday at AT&T Park in the second game of a four-game division series.

Before a crowd of 41,190, Petit casually worked through the Diamondbacks’ order, seemingly throwing nothing but strikes, which made up 73% of the 95 pitches he threw in the game. Petit’s pitches per inning went thusly: 9, 9, 9, 10, 11, 11, 6, 16, 14.

In a full count with two away in the ninth, pinch hitter Eric Chavez ultimately broke up Petit’s bid with a single to right field. The 28-year-old pitcher covered his face, then threw his arms in the air in disbelief.

Corbin’s outing for the Diamondbacks, meanwhile, was impressive — tossing eight strong innings, allowing eight hits and three earned runs to the Giants. Catcher Hector Sanchez and outfielder Hunter Pence, who scored all three of his team’s runs Friday, combined to tally six of the Giants’ eight hits.

The performance was Petit’s second career one-hitter and his first career complete game and shutout, coming in his 40th career start.

The Good:

Though losing his third straight loss, Patrick Corbin looked better Friday than he had in his two previous starts, in which he allowed eight and five earned runs, respectively. The second-year left-hander is now 13-6 on the season.

The Bad:

The Diamondbacks couldn’t solve their former pitcher, Yusmeiro Petit, striking out seven times and swinging early in counts, allowing the pitcher to cruise through the game with ease, tossing less than 11 pitches in five of the nine innings he pitched.

Up Next:

Brandon McCarthy (3-9, 4.94 ERA) will look to extend Monday’s Labor Day efforts for the Diamondbacks as he faces Giants ace Matt Cain (8-8, 4.43 ERA) who is making his return from his first ever disabled list stint. First pitch is 6:05 PM MDT and can be heard on Arizona Sports 620 AM.