Pirates Greensboro Grasshoppers Throw Second Combined Perfect Game in 10 Days

The Greensboro Grasshoppers, the Pittsburgh Pirates' High-A affiliate, have made minor league history by pitching two combined nine-inning perfect games within ten days. The first perfect game occurred on July 4 against the Aberdeen IronBirds, with pitchers Khristian Curtis, Jake Shirk, and Michael Walsh retiring all 27 batters faced. On July 13, a second perfect game was thrown against the Bowling Green Hot Rods, led by Hung-Leng Chang and supported by Joshua Loeschorn, Jake Shirk, and Jarod Bayless. Jake Shirk notably appeared in both perfect games, a rare accomplishment in professional baseball. These are the first nine-inning perfect games in the minor leagues at Single-A level or higher since 2017, and the Grasshoppers currently lead the South Atlantic League with a 15-6 record in the second half of the season. Offensively, players like Titus Dumitru and Will Taylor contributed key hits in the latest victory.