Oakland A’s pitcher Jharel Cotton comes one batter short of perfect game for Triple-A Nashville

Oakland Athletics pitcher Jharel Cotton came one batter short of throwing the fourth nine-inning perfect game in Pacific Coast League history for the Nashville Sounds. After retiring his first 26 batters faced, Cotton allowed a triple to shortstop Doug Bernier. He struck out Drew Robinson to end the game. Nashville defeated the Round Rock Express 3-0. The A’s acquired Cotton in the trade that sent Josh Reddick and Rich Hill to the Los Angeles Dodgers on August 1. Cotton struck out 12 of the 28 batter he faced, a career high.

At the end of the game, the Sounds, including manager Steve Scarsone, appeared to be upset with home plate umpire Junior Valentine for ejecting Kyle Kubitza from the dugout with one out to go after Kubitza argued balls and strikes. Kubitza slowly walked to the clubhouse stairs located beyond the outfield wall at the Dell Diamond in Round Rock, Texas, delaying the game for about two minutes. Cotton, after having time to consider his situation, gave up a triple soon after.

The Sounds have an 11-game lead in the PCL American Southern division with a magic number of 16. The Sounds would advance to the best-of-five American Conference Championship Series should they clinch, after which they would compete against the Pacific Conference champion for the league championship. The PCL champion plays the International League champion in a one-game Triple-A Baseball Championship at AutoZone Park in Memphis, Tennessee on September 20.

Oakland’s Triple-A affiliate last won a division title in 2012 (Sacramento) and a Triple-A title in 2008 (Sacramento).