Pérez pulled after 7 perfect innings against A’s, and Marlins nearly blow 8-run lead in 9-8 win

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Miami Marlins manager Clayton McCullough was well aware that Eury Pérez was only six outs from pitching the first perfect game in franchise history Sunday.

And still, McCullough pulled the plug.

Pérez was removed after retiring all 21 batters he faced, a move that almost blew up on the Marlins when they nearly squandered an eight-run lead in a 9-8 victory over the Athletics.

“I totally get it,” McCullough said. “There was a part of my heartstrings pulling at his opportunity to keep on going, but I have to think about Eury and our organization, our team and what’s best moving forward to give us a chance to continue to win games.”

Making his third start since returning from the injured list, Pérez was lifted after throwing 92 pitches over seven perfect innings.

“Going into this game, 90-plus was the pitch count but … us looking to play beyond the regular season, Eury’s going to be an important part of that,” McCullough said. “He had it really going today.”

Heriberto Hernández homered twice for the surprising Marlins (49-42), who have won nine of 12 overall after completing a three-game sweep. Leo Jiménez and All-Star shortstop Otto Lopez also went deep.

A crowd full of A’s fans booed when McCullough replaced Pérez with reliever Lake Bachar to begin the eighth.

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