Dodgers’ Rich Hill pulled after seven with perfect game

Dodgers starter Rich Hill was perfect through seven innings pitched against the Marlins before being pulled from the game.

Dodgers starter Rich Hill was pulled from a perfect game attempt by manager Dave Roberts after seven innings pitched against the Marlins.

Hill, who’s in the midst of a revival late in his career, was making just his third start since being acquired from the A’s at this year’s trade deadline. He missed nearly a month after a blister ripped off his left middle fingerpad in mid-July.

The lefthander had made 89 pitches and struck out nine Marlins. He was replaced by Joe Blanton, who allowed a hit in the eighth.

After the game, manager Dave Roberts told reporters he was “sick to [his] stomach” but gave a valid reason for pulling his starter:

Roberts said there was "heat" on Hill's finger, a sign of the blister resurfacing.

— Andy McCullough (@ByMcCullough) September 11, 2016

Dave Roberts said this game feels like a loss.

— Andy McCullough (@ByMcCullough) September 11, 2016

Earlier in the year, Roberts pulled Ross Stripling in the eighth inning of a no-hit bid.

Hill was aiming for the 24th perfect game in major-league history, and the second by a Dodgers pitcher. The last was thrown on Aug. 15, 2012 by Mariners ace Felix Hernandez.

Sandy Koufax still owns the only perfect game in franchise history, throwing one on Sept. 9, 1965.

– Kenny Ducey