Double-A Binghamton right-hander Jonah Tong was just one out from making franchise history Saturday night when manager Reid Brignac made a stunning call. After retiring 20 straight hitters and striking out a career-best 13 on 99 pitches, the 21-year-old Mets prospect was pulled with two outs in the seventh inning of a scheduled seven-inning game.
Tong, a native of Markham, Ontario, had delivered 6.2 flawless innings in his most dominant outing as a pro.
Mets Prospect Jonah Tong Loses Shot at History After 99-Pitch Exit
Just one out short of perfection, Tong was lifted from the mound Saturday night after throwing 99 pitches across 6.2 flawless innings in the second game of a doubleheader for Double-A Binghamton.
Jonah Tong is removed at 99 pitches and one out away from a 7-inning perfect game for Double-A Binghamton pic.twitter.com/8PazWemXVf
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) May 10, 2025
Manager Reid Brignac opted to bring in reliever TJ Shook, who struck out the final batter to preserve the Rumble Ponies’ first perfect game in franchise history—a combined effort rather than Tong’s solo milestone.
With Saturday’s gem, Tong lowered his season ERA to 2.57 and now leads the Eastern League with 51 strikeouts through six starts. In 28 innings pitched, he’s walked 14, surrendered just nine runs (eight earned), and held opposing hitters to a .162 average. His WHIP stands at 1.07.
Fans were divided over the move to pull him with history in reach. One fan called it, “Absolutely pathetic.”
Another posted, “This has to be one of the more shocking things I’ve ever seen or heard of. Jonah Tong my perfect game? Incredible.”
The 21-year-old Canadian right-hander had dominated Reading’s lineup, fanning 13 of the 20 batters he faced.
“I knew it… I (was) like, ‘one more, please,’” Tong said to team broadcaster Matt Levin postgame. “But I get it, bigger picture here. I’m glad (Shook) came in.”
Despite the managerial decision, Tong’s outing marked the most commanding of his professional career. He filled the strike zone with 61 strikes on 99 pitches, flashing sharp command—something that’s occasionally eluded him in the past.
“Pretty calm, not going to lie to you. Didn’t really think a whole lot,” he said. “Thought the sky was nice and blue today, the jerseys are pretty cool, so that was pretty much it.”
A seventh-round pick in the 2022 MLB Draft, Tong was selected by the Mets out of Georgia Premier Academy, where he landed after being recruited from his native Markham, Ontario. He emerged as one of the organization’s top breakout arms in 2024, climbing three minor-league levels and earning the title of Mets Pitching Prospect of the Year by MLB Pipeline.
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Tong, currently ranked as New York’s No. 6 prospect, operates with a four-pitch mix, led by a fastball that plays up despite sitting in the low-90s, along with a curveball, slider, and Vulcan changeup. His Saturday performance followed an impressive showing the day prior by Nolan McLean, the Mets’ No. 5 prospect, who tossed seven scoreless innings with seven strikeouts.
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