Matt Cain Pitches 22nd Perfect Game in MLB History

Matt Cain has thrown the 22nd perfect game in major league history, and the first by a Giants’ pitcher. The Giants won the game against the Houston Astros 10-0. The Chronicle and Mercury News have stories up now.

You can watch Gregor Blanco’s seventh-inning, perfection-saving catch in right-center here. Plus more video highlights and Cain’s post-game interview.

Below is a live blog of the last few innings…

9:20 p.m. : Blanco just made a Willie Mays-like catch in center to preserve the in-progress perfect game. Click on the video link at this site to see it. SB Nation also has video of the catch here.

9:34 p.m. Nice play by Arias on a slow roller to third. He’s out!

9:37 p.m. Called strike three! Two outs now in the eighth. That’s a big 14 strikeouts for Cain.

9:39 p.m. Crawford ranges to his left at short, not an easy play…but he’s out! 24 straight for Cain, and we get a breather before the dramatic 9th.

9:42 p.m. Duane Kuiper is talking about the pressure on the defense in a situation like this. Kuiper played second during Len Barker’s perfect game for the Indians in 1981.

9:45 p.m. How many perfect games have their been? Twenty-one since 1880, including one this year by the White Sox’ Philip Humber. No Giant has ever thrown one.

9:48 p.m. Here we go. Bogusevic, Snyder, and maybe a pinch hitter for the pitcher are due up.

9:50 p.m. Fly out to left! That’s one.

9:51 p.m. Fly out to left again! That’s two! The hitter is now Jason Castro, a Bay Area kid.

9:52 p.m. It’s over! He did it! Another tough play at third ends it!

9:56 p.m. This play right here is the one people will be talking about in terms of defense.