Phillies' Halladay throws perfect game against Marlins

MIAMI - Stoic as always, Roy Halladay's expression never changed. Until the end, that is. Until there was history, a perfect game, the marquee performance of his career.

The Philadelphia Phillies' ace threw the 20th perfect game in major-league history, beating the Florida Marlins 1-0 last night. When he got pinch-hitter Ronny Paulino to ground to third for the 27th out, only then could Halladay bask in his moment - breaking into a big smile and wrapping his arms around catcher Carlos Ruiz before disappearing in a joyous, jumping mob of teammates.

"It's never something that you think is possible," Halladay said. "Really, once I got the two outs, I felt like I had a chance."

It was the second perfect game in the majors this month alone, Dallas Braden doing it for Oakland against Tampa Bay on May 9. Colorado's Ubaldo Jimenez threw a no-hitter, too, in April.

Halladay struck out 11, and was cheered by a crowd of 25,086 that included many Phillies fans.

While there were a couple of good plays behind him - shortstop Wilson Valdez went deep into the hole for a grounder, backup third baseman Juan Castro went to his knees for another, second baseman Chase Utley ranged well to his left for another fine play - Halladay didn't need any great defensive work in this gem. The 33-year-old righty known as Doc was a veritable one-man show.

"You've got to take your hat off to Doc," Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "That's why he is who he is. That's what they got him for."

Steely-eyed, standing tall and always working swiftly, Halladay (7-3) broke into a big smile as his teammates rushed in to congratulate him.

The former AL Cy Young winner was within one out of a no-hitter on Sept. 27, 1998, in just his second major-league start, pitching for the Blue Jays. But Detroit pinch-hitter Bobby Higginson's homer spoiled it.

Last night, Halladay faced three Marlins pinch-hitters in the ninth. Mike Lamb led off with a long fly ball to Shane Victorino in centerfield and Wes Helms struck out, leaving it up to Paulino. On a 1-2 pitch he stabbed at Halladay's 115th and final offering. Castro ranged to his left to get it and threw across to first baseman Ryan Howard, who caught the ball and jumped in the air.

The Phillies got their lone run off Josh Johnson (5-2) in the third when Valdez singled and scored when Chase Utley's fly to center skipped off Cameron Maybin's glove for a three-base error. - AP