Coco, rain mix in perfect game

Former Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Pascual Coco pitched a perfect game as Monclova defeated Angelopolis, 6-0, in a game called after 5½ innings Tuesday.

Coco retired all 15 batters he faced before rain forced the game to be called after a one-hour, 30-minute delay. He got five ground-ball outs and eight fly-ball outs. Coco struck out two while raising his record to 4-5 and lowering his ERA to 4.25.

Coco's outing was the second no-hitter in the Mexican League this season, both of which have involved Angelopolis. Jesus Guzman and Cecilio Garibaldi combined on a no-hitter to give the Tigres a 2-0 victory over the Petroleros de Poza Rica in the first game of a doubleheader March 26. Monclova scored in each of the first three innings. Ricardo Saenz singled with two outs to drive in Ivan Terrazas in the first with the only run Coco would need. Hector Garanzuay led off the second with a single and eventually scored on a double play for a 2-0 lead.

The Acereros loaded the bases on two singles and an error in the third before Raul Lopez lined a two-run single to left field that put Monclova ahead, 4-0. Garanzuay added a two-run homer in the sixth before the game was halted.

Coco's final two outs in the fifth were flyouts to Terrazas in right field. About 90 minutes later, he made history.

Coco pitched for the Blue Jays in parts of the 2000, 2001 and 2002 seasons. His best season was 2001, when he went 1-0 with a 4.40 ERA in seven appearances. Coco pitched a total of 14 1/3 innings and struck out nine.

Coco made his Major League debut in 2000, when he started a game and allowed four runs on five hits in four innings. He struck out five and walked five in a no-decision.