A no-hitter, sometimes known as a no-hit game or simply a “no-no,” is a baseball game in which neither team was able to get a single hit by normal methods.
A completed game in which a club that batted for at least nine innings had no hits is referred to as a no-hitter in Major League Baseball (MLB).
“Throwing a no-hitter” refers to a pitcher’s ability to deny the opposition team a hit. A no-hitter is typically thrown by a single pitcher who finishes the game; one thrown by two or more pitchers is a combined no-hitter.
Only 317 no-hitters, or approximately two per year, have been thrown in MLB history since 1876, making them a remarkably rare feat for a pitcher or pitching staff.
On May 10, 2022, Reid Detmers of the Los Angeles Angels against the Tampa Bay Rays threw the most recent major league no-hitter by a single pitcher.
On June 25, 2022, starters Cristian Javier, Héctor Neris, and Ryan Pressly of the Houston Astros against the New York Yankees threw the most recent joint no-hitter.
The 2021 MLB season, in which nine no-hitters were thrown, holds the record for the league’s most no-hit games.
A walk, an error, or getting hit by a pitch are the most typical ways to get to second base without getting hit. The hitter reaching first on an uncaught third strike, catcher interference, or fielder’s choice are additional scenarios.
A perfect game, a considerably more uncommon accomplishment, is a no-hitter in which no batters reach base at all.
A pitcher can throw a no-hitter (but not a perfect game) and still allow runs and even lose the game because batters can reach base in other ways than just hitting the ball, though this is highly rare as most no-hitters are also shutouts.
25 no-hitters have been recorded in MLB history, with the most recent one being Ervin Santana of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim’s 3-1 victory over the Cleveland Indians on July 27, 2011.
Two times, despite pitching a nine-inning no-hitter, a team lost the game. Although it has never occurred in the major leagues, opposing pitchers throwing no-hitters in the same game are theoretically possible.
On May 2, 1917, two pitchers, Fred Toney and Hippo Vaughn, pitched nine innings of a game without allowing a hit or a run.
In the 10th inning, however, Vaughn gave up two hits and a run, which caused Toney to win the game by pitching the no-hitter in extra innings.
How Many Pitchers Have Multiple No Hitters?
There have been 36 pitchers who have thrown multiple no-hitters, and this number does not include combined no-hitters.