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Wang falls five outs shy of perfect game

May 6, 2007 - 1:03 AM BRONX, New York (Ticker) -- Chien-Ming Wang flirted with perfection. It probably evoked fond memories for manager Joe Torre.

Wang retired the first 22 batters he faced and Derek Jeter had three hits and two RBI as the New York Yankees rolled to an 8-1 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Saturday.

No Yankee starter had pitched eight innings in a game this season before Wang (1-2) baffled the Mariners with an effective sinker through 7 1/3 innings.

The outing came less than 24 hours after rookie Kei Igawa was unable to get past the fifth and the Mariners sent 13 to the plate in an eight-run inning.

"It was great," Torre said. "It was really great, not just for him but just getting a win, especially after last night."

When asked if he had no-hit stuff, Wang said he did not.

The Taiwanese righthander induced 12 ground-ball outs, retired six on flyouts and recorded four strikeouts before Ben Broussard ruined the bid for a perfect game as well as a no-hitter and shutout with his second home run of the season.

"I don't get to appreciate how great the ball is moving from my angle," Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez said. "I just see some of the uncomfortable swings (they're having). I'm some consumed with the thought that I'm going to get a lot of work.

"It was late too," Seattle designated hitter Richie Sexson said. "Where it started and where it finished was totally different spots."

While not necessarily shocked at the effectiveness of Wang, Torre was a little surprised he was able to maintain a no-hitter for so long.

"Yes, not usually a guy who makes you hit the ball (has a no-hitter going)," Torre said. "Normally the strikeout guys have a better chance at a no-hitter."

The soft-spoken Wang claimed he was not aware of the no-hitter until catcher Jorge Posada told him on the bench after the top of the eighth.

Sexson led off the eighth with a comebacker, leaving Wang five outs shy of a perfect game. But Broussard, who was hitting .188 this season, launched an 0-1 changeup over the wall in right-center field.

"It was an off-speed pitch," Broussard said. "He got ahead with the fastball. It was the first one he'd thrown me all night. He had been throwing me a lot of fastball, throwing strikes and the ball was moving good. It was tough tonight.

"He does (throw changeups)," Posada said. "Not today, he didn't need it today. He threw one of them."

Jose Guillen followed with a single. Wang then got Kenji Johjima to ground into an inning-ending double play.

Wang was given a standing ovation by the crowd as he walked to the dugout. Brian Bruney finished up for the Yankees, who have won four of five.

"He was good," Seattle manager Mike Hargrove said. "He was really good. He hit his spots real well. He's got good stuff. It looked like he maintained his velocity the entire game and made some tough pitches and he's awfully good."

The last Yankee to pitch a perfect game here was David Cone against Montreal on July 18, 1999 in a 6-0 victory. That year ended with Torre winning his third World Series title with New York.

Randy Johnson is the last pitcher to throw a perfect game, achieving the feat for the Arizona Diamondbacks in a 2-0 win over the Atlanta Braves on May 18, 2004.

Wang was also bidding to become the second player to throw a no-hitter this season. Mark Buehrle tossed one for the Chicago White Sox on April 18 against Texas.

Wang almost lost his no-hit bid in the seventh. Ichiro Suzuki led off with a long fly to left field that Hideki Matsui tracked down in front of the warning track and, after falling behind 3-0 on Raul Ibanez, he fanned the Mariners left fielder.

Meanwhile, former Yankee Jeff Weaver (0-5) lost for the fifth time in as many starts.

Signed to a one-year, $8 million contract in the offseason, Weaver allowed six runs and nine hits in 5 2/3 innings. Last Saturday, the righthander retired just one of the nine batters he faced in an 8-3 loss to Kansas City.

The Yankees held just a 1-0 lead against Weaver before erupting for five runs in the sixth inning. Jeter highlighted the inning with a two-run double.

Bobby Abreu led off the sixth with a bunt single, Rodriguez followed with a single to center and Jason Giambi walked to load the bases. Weaver then hit Matsui with a pitch to force in a run and Posada lined an RBI single.

After Robinson Cano struck out and Doug Mientkiewicz grounded into a fielder's choice, Melky Cabrera walked and Jeter doubled in two to make it 6-0.