Robinson Loses Perfect Game With Two Out in Ninth Inning

Ron Robinson pitched 8 perfect innings before pinch-hitter Wallace Johnson singled to left field as the Cincinnati Reds beat the Montreal Expos, 3-2, Monday night.

Robinson retired catcher Mike Fitzgerald on a grounder to shortstop for the first out of the ninth inning and Tom Foley then hit a short fly ball to center field for the second out.

With a count of 2-2, Johnson slapped an opposite field single that left-fielder Kal Daniels had no chance to make an out on. Tim Raines then hit a home run to right field to chase Robinson. John Franco relieved and got his fourth save.

Robinson, who has one complete game in 40 career starts, struck out three to improve to 2-2.

The last perfect game was by California’s Mike Witt against Texas, a 1-0 victory on the final day of the 1984 season.

Coach Tommy Helms managed the Reds to their first victory in five games. Helms was substituting for Manager Pete Rose, who received a 30-day suspension Monday for shoving umpire Dave Pallone on Saturday night. Rose was at home following knee surgery earlier Monday.

Robinson, coming off arthroscopic elbow surgery last Oct. 6, had failed to go more than seven innings in his four previous starts and has never pitched a shutout. His previous best single-game effort was a seven-hitter against Pittsburgh in 1984.

Robinson, 26, was shifted from the bullpen to the starting rotation last season. He has a 28-19 career record and 128 relief appearances.

The last Red to pitch a no-hitter was Tom Seaver on June 16, 1978 when he beat St. Louis 4-0.

Pascual Perez (3-3) gave up just five hits over eight innings for Montreal.

Daniels hit a solo homer in the first, his fifth of the season and his first since April 10. Daniels also walked, stole second and scored on Eric Davis’ fourth-inning single, the center fielder’s first RBI in five games.

Rookie Chris Sabo led off the sixth with his fifth homer, and Perez’s second pitch to Daniels, the next batter, brushed him back. Daniels walked toward the mound and both benches cleared, but there were no blows exchanged nor players ejected.

Rose and Tom Browning were ejected in Saturday night’s loss the the New York Mets--Rose for pushing Pallone over a disputed call and Browning for hitting Tim Teufel, prompting a bench-clearing tussle.