Mets prospect Jonah Tong leads way in perfect game — but gets pulled with one out to go
Jonah Tong was pulled one out from achieving a perfect game Saturday after reaching 99 pitches for Double-A Binghamton.
Reliever TJ Shook finished off the job.
Jonah Tong of the New York Mets throws a pitch during the first inning of a spring training Spring Breakout game against the Washington Nationals at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches on March 16, 2025 in West Palm Beach, Florida.Sure, it only was a seven-inning game under the rules governing minor-league doubleheaders, but it still counts as a perfect game — the first in Binghamton's history — for the record books.
Tong probably would have traded one or two of his 13 strikeouts to shave a few pitches off his count and have a chance to finish a seven-inning masterpiece.
He allowed no hits and no walks over 6 2/3 innings, while throwing 61 of 99 pitches for strikes.
After Shook struck out the final batter for the Reading Phillies in a 6-0 victory in the nightcap of the double dip, the Rumble Ponies had a very subdued on-field celebration — like a run-of-the-mill win.
Tong is the Mets' No. 6-ranked prospect — third among pitchers — according to MLB.com.
The 13 strikeouts, which began with three in the first inning, set a career high.
As you'd expect, when Rumble Ponies manager Reid Brignac — a former major leaguer — made the call to the bullpen from the mound, the home crowd booed and Tong rolled his head back in what appeared like disbelief.
Jonah Tong of the New York Mets prepares to pitch during the second inning of a spring training Spring Breakout game against the Washington Nationals at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches on March 16, 2025 in West Palm Beach, Florida.Tong has 40 strikeouts over his last 19 innings pitched and lowered his season ERA to 2.57.
The 21-year-old right-hander was originally a seventh-round draft pick out of high school in 2022.
He made two appearances at Double-A last season but has pitched well over six starts at the level to start this season.
Top prospects Jett Williams and Ryan Clifford supported Tong; both players had a two-run hit.
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