Mariners' Leake loses perfect game in 9th

Seattle Mariners starter Mike Leake lost his perfect game against the Los Angeles Angels in the ninth inning when Luis Rengifo punched a leadoff single through the right side of the infield.

Leake was three outs away from recording the 24th perfect game in MLB history and first since teammate Felix Hernandez threw one against the Tampa Bay Rays in 2012.

"It was fun," Leake said, according to Chris Talbott of the Associated Press. "As you get closer, you get the shakes and you have to calm yourself down. Other than that, it's just a matter of making pitches."

The 31-year-old right-hander settled for a complete-game shutout, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out six on 98 pitches.

Coincidentally, Leake's previous start came on July 12 when the Mariners were no-hit by the Angels. Taylor Cole and Felix Pena combined for the no-no during the team's first home game since the death of teammate Tyler Skaggs. Leake recorded two outs and allowed seven runs (four earned) on eight hits and one walk before being removed from the start.

"It's baseball, it's just crazy," Mariners manager Scott Servais said. "Just five, six days ago, he was pitching and they were on everything. So you just never know what you're going to see when you come to the park."

After Friday's gem, Leake now owns a 4.27 ERA and 4.79 FIP over 20 starts this season.

With the Mariners sitting in last place in the division, Leake's name has popped up in trade rumors. The veteran starter is owed $15 million next year and has an $18-million team option for 2021 with a $5-million buyout.