Mike Leake had almost the perfect comeback to his previous outing.
The Mariners right-hander came up three outs short of throwing the 24th perfect game in MLB history Friday night. The Angels' Luis Rengifo ended the bid with a single to lead off the ninth inning.
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Leake then allowed a walk to Kevan Smith but recovered to retire the next three batters and complete a 10-0 shutout. He struck out Mike Trout to end the game.
Leake needed just 98 pitches to blank the Halos in his second complete game and first shutout of the season, meaning he fashioned a "Maddux" (as in Greg Maddux), a shutout in fewer than 100 pitches.
Had Leake completed the perfecto, it would have been the first in the majors since his Seattle teammate Felix Hernandez threw one Aug. 15, 2012, vs. the Rays.
Leake did not get out of the first inning in his last start, which occurred exactly one week ago. He was facing the Angels in the club's first home game since the death of pitcher Tyler Skaggs. Leake allowed seven runs (four earned) and eight hits in two-thirds of an inning.
Angels pitchers Taylor Cole and Felix Pena combined to throw a no-hitter that night.
