Jose Tabata robs Max Scherzer of perfection

Jose Tabata simply ruined Max Scherzer's bid for perfection in a way that some would say is weak or cheap. With Scherzer standing one strike away from becoming just the 24th pitcher in Major League Baseball's storied history to spin a complete game without allowing a single baserunner, Tabata compromised the game's integrity.

The electricity of a closing thunderstorm rivaled the moment with a sold-out crowd of 41,104 fans on their feet, screaming in anticipation as the Nationals ace seemingly could reach out and touch baseball immortality.

Scherzer's steely eyes - one blue, one brown - glared in at Tabata. Wilson Ramos threw down a signal, but Scherzer shook his head twice before settling on a backdoor slider, a pitch that had effectively helped him strike out ten Pirates already in the game.

The slider stayed inside, not more than a few inches off the plate. Tabata made no attempt to move, and it appeared he did the opposite. With his left arm guarded by armor, it looked like Tabata dropped his elbow in an effort to allow the pitch to hit him.

It worked. Perfect game over as home plate umpire Mike Muchlinski awarded Tabata first base.

"He tried to throw me a slider inside," Tabata told reporters after the game. "The slider, no breaking. I stayed right there and it got me. That's my job. I got to get on base whatever the situation."

The situation was that the Nationals held a fairly insurmountable 6-0 lead with one out remaining in the game. Hardly a legitimate rallying time for the Pirates.

The at-bat began with Tabata quickly falling behind 0-2 after fouling off a fastball and slider. Scherzer went for another slider, but Tabata didn't bite. The count evened up when a 97 mph, that Scherzer later admitted he overthrew, came in high.

Tabata then wasted three straight Scherzer offerings on sprayed foul balls before seizing his opportunity to spoil the day on the eighth pitch of the at-bat.

"I mean there is (a loss,) just because you're so close ... one strike away from a perfect game," Scherzer said.

By the letter of the laws of baseball, Muchlinski could've intervened and judged that Tabata lowered his elbow and dove into the Scherzer's slider. If so, it would've been ball three and a full count.

Here's how rule 6.08 (b) reads:

"(The batter is awarded first base if) He is touched by a pitched ball which he is not attempting to hit unless (1) The Ball is in the strike zone when it touches the batter, or (2) The batter makes no attempt to avoid being touched by the ball; If the ball is in the strike zone when it touches the batter, it shall be called a strike, whether or not the batter tries to avoid the ball. If the ball is outside the strike zone when it touches the batter, it shall be called a ball if he makes no attempt to avoid being touched."

Nationals manager Matt Williams remained in the dugout, opting not to discuss the reasons for the ruling with Muchlinski.

"I think that's irrelevant at this point," Williams said. "The last thing I'm going to do is walk on the field and mess up Max's rhythm. That'd be a crying shame. I ain't doing that."

Unfortunately, maybe yesterday won't be remembered for Scherzer's incredible no-hitter, but rather for the perfect game that should've been. Instead of fully celebrating the rare accomplishment, fans may have filed out of Nats Park angry they were robbed of experiencing the even rarer of feats.

Max Scherzer is the 2nd pitcher in MLB history to lose a perfect game after 8 2/3 IP on a hit batter. Joins George Wiltse, 1908. per ESPN.

-- Chris Johnson (@masnCJ) June 20, 2015

It even left Bryce Harper feeling emotional.

"I wanted to cry, to be honest with you. To be part of a perfect game would've been awesome," the slugger said.

Meanwhile, Nats fans and supporters of the game are irked, left with Tabata's final comments to reporters.:

"Good for him. He got a no-no. That's all I can say."