K-Tribe's Ramsey ends season with perfect game

By News-Argus Staff
Published in Sports on September 7, 2004 1:55 PM

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MYRTLE BEACH -- Kinston Indians left-hander Keith Ramsey pitched a perfect game on a rainy Labor Day Monday at Coastal Federal Field in Myrtle Beach, leading the Indians to a 6-0 win.

It was the first perfect game in Kinston history, and the team's sixth no-hitter. The game was also just the ninth perfect game in the history of the Carolina League, and only the fourth nine-inning perfect game. The Indians and Pelicans split the four-game series.

Ramsey's beauty included five strikeouts, and was the Carolina League's first nine-inning gem since Marty Bystrom pitched a perfect game for Peninsula on August 12, 1978 in a 3-0 win over Winston-Salem. Durham's Dennis Burlingame threw the most recent perfect game, a 4-0 win over Frederick in seven innings on April 9, 1989.

He needed just 97 pitches all afternoon, and went to just two full counts. Special mention goes to right fielder Jonathan van Every, who made a diving, highlight-reel catch in right-center field for the second out in the bottom of the ninth. Willie James then grounded out to shortstop Pat Osborn for the final out.

Kinston got Ramsey all the support he would need with three runs in the top of the first, highlighted by a two-run homer by Pat Magness. The Tribe tacked on two more in the fifth on a two-run shot by Caleb Brock.

Kinston will rest on Tuesday before opening the playoffs Wednesday at 7:05 in Winston-Salem. Game two in the best-of-three series will be held in Kinston at 7 p.m. Thursday night, and game three if necessary will be 7 p.m. Friday.