Now, it gets exciting — just three outs to go! The White Sox’ Philip Humber has retired the first 24 Mariners he has faced in Seattle Saturday afternoon, and is just three outs away from becoming the 21st pitcher in major league history to throw a perfect game — 27 batters up, 27 batters retired.

Humber came close to a no-hitter in 2011, taking one into the seventh inning against the Yankees on April 25, 2011 at Yankee Stadium; he wound up giving up just one hit before being removed.

In the bottom of the eighth, Humber struck out Justin Smoak, his seventh of the game, for out number 22. Then, Kyle Seager hit a fly ball to medium-deep left fielder Brent Lillibridge (who had replaced Dayan Viciedo for defensive purposes) for the second out of the inning, becoming the 23rd straight hitter retired by Humber. The third out, and 24th straight, was a ground ball to second base by Miguel Montero.

Humber has thrown just 80 pitches (57 strikes) through eight innings.