On July 23, 2009, Mark Buehrle of the Chicago White Sox pitched a perfect game against the Tampa Bay Rays.

[1] Buehrle did this in the midst of setting a Major League record by retiring 45 consecutive batters over three games.

At the time, the Rays were tied for the second-highest on-base percentage (.343) of any team, so they were one of the least likely to allow a perfect game.

[6] Buehrle made his major league debut on July 16, 2000, pitching one inning of relief while allowing a run to Milwaukee Brewers.

Then he made his first starting appearance on July 19, pitching seven innings while allowing six hits and two runs to Minnesota Twins.

[7] On April 18, 2007 against the Texas Rangers at U.S. Cellular Field, Mark Buehrle threw his first career no-hitter.

After allowing a walk to Sammy Sosa in the fifth inning and one out after a 3–1 pitch, and he was promptly picked off from first base while facing the next batter.

[citation needed] On June 14, he hit the first and only home run of his career in a road game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park.

In the bottom of the second inning with two outs and a 3–1 pitch, Josh Fields hit a grand slam off of Scott Kazmir, giving the White Sox a 4–0 lead.

Two of the Rays batters hit a foul ball very close to the fair territory down the left field line.

In the top of the ninth inning, the Rays’ leadoff hitter, Gabe Kapler, hit a deep fly ball to left field-center field, where DeWayne Wise made a spectacular catch, taking a home run away from Kapler and saving the perfect game for Buehrle.

The final batter, Jason Bartlett, hit a ground ball to shortstop Alexei Ramírez, who threw it to first baseman Josh Fields (Paul Konerko was the designated hitter for the day) to finish off the history-making moment at 3:10 PM CT. Sources:[15][16]

When DeWayne Wise made the catch, Harrelson called out: "That ball hit deep into left center field.

President Barack Obama, an ardent White Sox supporter, called Buehrle to congratulate him on his perfect game.

[20] Then his wife Jamie and her baby daughter Brooklyn came to the U.S. Cellular Field from their home in suburban Chicago to congratulate Mark.