Jared Jones of the Pittsburgh Pirates was on the verge of making Major League Baseball history on July 8, 2026, at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The 24-year-old pitcher retired the first 18 batters he faced, maintaining a perfect game bid through six innings. However, Jones was pulled from the game after throwing 77 pitches, well short of the more than 100 pitches likely needed to complete the 25th perfect game in MLB history.

Jones’ removal came as a precautionary measure, given his recent return from ulnar collateral ligament internal brace surgery on May 21, 2025. Since returning on May 20, 2026, he had not exceeded 81 pitches in any of his eight starts. Reflecting on the decision, Jones said, "It does suck. Something’s cool coming on, but I’m on what? My eighth start off of surgery? I completely understand it, and it is what it is." He also noted, "Not really ever expecting to go nine right now, so that was never in my head."

Despite his flawless pitching, the Pirates received no run support and ultimately lost 3-0 to the Atlanta Braves, who scored three runs late in the game. According to Opta Stats, Jones became the first pitcher in the modern era (since 1920) to pitch at least six perfect innings and not record a win.

This incident marked the second time in less than a week that a pitcher was removed during a perfect game bid after six or more innings; the Miami Marlins took Eury Perez out after seven perfect innings with 92 pitches.

Jones’ performance and the decision to pull him highlight the balance teams must maintain between pursuing historic achievements and protecting players’ health.

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