SEATTLE (MCT) For only a few seconds Saturday, Philip Humbers perfect game bid was out of his hands.

Go get it, Humber said as catcher A.J. Pierzynski chased down an errant slider that pinch-hitter Brendan Ryan was ruled to have swung at. Throw him out.

As soon as Pierzynski retreated and completed his throw to first base to complete the 27th consecutive out, the latest chapter in Humbers amazing ascent was completed.

Just 15 months after Humber had to earn his way onto the Soxs 2011 opening-day roster, Humber threw the 21st perfect game in major league history with an efficient 4-0 victory over the Mariners.

Despite protests by Ryan over home plate umpire Brian Runges call, the Soxs players poured onto the field to mob Humber, 29, who pitched better than his 2004 first-round distinction with the Mets.

I dont know what Philip Humber is doing in this list, Humber said of the list of pitchers who have thrown perfect games, including former teammate Mark Buehrle. I have no idea what my name is doing there. But Im thankful its there.

So are the Sox, who claimed Humber on waivers from Oakland in January 2011 and saw him pitch so well that they went to a six-man rotation last summer because of his success.

As recently as April 10, the Sox skipped Humbers scheduled start after a rainout in Cleveland so they could keep their remaining four starters on schedule.

In his second start of the season, Humber pitched like a bona fide ace. Relying on a sharp slider, Humber tied his career high with nine strikeouts and needed exceptional defensive help only three times, capped by Pierzynskis throw to first.

Humber didnt throw three balls to any batter until he ran up a 3-0 count to Michael Saunders to start the ninth, then came back to strike him out on a 3-2 slider.

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Pitcher Perfect!