Yes, it is possible for a pitcher to throw a no-hitter and still lose the game. This rare event has happened a handful of times in Major League Baseball history. While no-hitters demonstrate incredible pitching performances, the offense must still generate runs to win the game.
What is a no-hitter?
A no-hitter is when a pitcher, or pitchers, prevents the opposing team from getting a hit over the entire game. To count as an official no-hitter, the game must last at least 9 innings and the team fielding must not commit an error that leads to a run being scored.
Throwing a no-hitter is an impressive accomplishment for a pitcher or pitching staff. It requires not allowing any opposing batters to reach base by way of a base hit. Walks, errors, hit by pitches, and other plays that allow a runner to reach base can still occur in a no-hitter.
How can a pitcher throw a no-hitter and lose?
There are a few ways a pitcher can throw a no-hitter and still lose the game:
- The opposing team scores runs as a result of walks, errors, hit batsmen, fielder’s choice, dropped third strike, wild pitch, passed ball, or defensive indifference.
- The pitcher’s own team fails to score any runs to support the no-hit effort.
- The game goes into extra innings scoreless and the opposing team scores in an extra inning without recording a hit.
While uncommon, a combination of these factors can result in a no-hitter thrown by the losing team. The pitcher or pitching staff deserves credit for the individual achievement, but it ultimately does not lead to a win without some run support.
Notable no-hit losses in MLB history
Here are some of the most memorable instances when a pitcher threw a no-hitter and ended up on the losing side:
- April 23, 1964 – Houston Colt .45s pitcher Ken Johnson no-hits the Cincinnati Reds but loses 1-0. The Reds scored a run in the top of the 9th inning via an error, walk, and sacrifice fly.
- April 30, 1967 – Steve Barber and Stu Miller of the Baltimore Orioles combine for a no-hitter against the Detroit Tigers but lose 2-1. Both runs were unearned.
- July 1, 1990 – Andy Hawkins of the Yankees no-hits the Chicago White Sox but loses 4-0 due to 8 Yankee errors.
- April 8, 1993 – Matt Young of the Red Sox no-hits the Indians for 8 innings at Cleveland Stadium but the game ends in a 2-1 loss.
- July 1, 2008 – Jered Weaver of the Angels no-hits the Dodgers for 6 innings but loses 1-0. The bullpen allowed 2 hits over the final 3 innings.
As these examples illustrate, it takes a strange set of circumstances for a pitcher to throw a gem of a game but end up on the losing end. Errors and poor run support tend to play a part when this baseball rarity occurs.
Breaking down Matt Young’s 1993 no-hit loss
A closer look at Matt Young’s 1993 no-hitter that resulted in a loss demonstrates how a lack of offense and fielding miscues can render a brilliant pitching performance moot.
On April 12, 1993 at Cleveland Stadium, southpaw Matt Young was masterful on the mound for the Boston Red Sox. He did not allow a single Indians batter to reach base via hit over 8 innings. However, Young’s own defense failed him that day.
The Red Sox made a whopping three errors behind Young. In the 7th inning, first baseman Mo Vaughn misplayed a ground ball hit by Carlos Martinez, allowing him to reach base. Later, a pair of two-out singles plus a throwing error by shortstop John Valentin and a wild pitch by Young led to an unearned run scoring.
Meanwhile, Cleveland starter Chris Nabholz nearly matched Young by allowing just one unearned run over 7 innings. Young departed after the 8th inning with the game tied 1-1 but still intact as a no-hitter. Matt Young would end up taking the loss when Cleveland scored the game-winning run in the bottom of the 9th off reliever Scott Bankhead.
So despite not surrendering a single hit to the 26 batters he faced, Matt Young was saddled with the tough-luck loss thanks to the absence of run support and a series of defensive miscues behind him.
Box Score from Matt Young’s No-Hitter on April 12, 1993
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red Sox | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Indians | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
Why win-loss record is an imperfect stat in baseball
Matt Young’s losing no-hitter highlights how a pitcher’s win-loss record doesn’t always present an accurate picture of their performance. The offense and defense have significant roles in determining whether or not a pitcher gets credited with a win.
For pitchers, factors completely out of their control impact their records. Low run support, errors made in the field, and the timing of when runs are allowed all affect a starter’s ability to accumulate wins. Excellent outings can easily end up as losses due to these factors.
That is why other metrics like ERA, WHIP, FIP, and WAR provide additional insight into a pitcher’s value and ability. Young and other pitchers who threw ‘losing no-hitters’ demonstrate that wins are heavily dependent on the whole team’s performance, not just the starting pitcher.
Putting losing no-hitters in perspective
Despite being on the wrong side of a no-hitter, the pitchers who accomplished the feat deserve to be celebrated. Throwing a complete game without allowing a hit is no easy task, regardless of the final score.
At the same time, these games serve as reminders about how baseball is very much a team sport. Stellar pitching alone cannot guarantee wins every time out. Runs scored and runs prevented are what ultimately determine who wins and loses on any given day.
While they are unusual parts of baseball history, losing no-hitters encapsulate the fact that single games are hard to predict. On a day when a pitcher is locked in, one miscue in the field, one walk or hit batsman too many, or the offense failing to come through can still mean a losing effort.
The role of luck in no-hitters and perfect games
In addition to solid pitching and defense, luck also plays a role in no-hitters. Batters will line hard hit balls directly at fielders, wind gusts may knock down potential home runs, an umpire’s call could go the pitcher’s way on a borderline pitch, etc. The absence of simple hits happening can take good fortune alongside skill.
The same goes for perfect games, where no opposing batters reach base at all. In fact, only 23 official perfect games have occurred in MLB history, compared to over 300 no-hitters. Lady Luck needs to be on the pitcher’s side for an even greater extent to record 27 up and 27 down.
While some element of luck is always involved, no-hitters remain special achievements that celebrate dominant pitching. Those who tossed no-hitters in losing efforts are still part of an exclusive fraternity of having accomplished one of baseball’s rarest feats.
No-hitters remain rare baseball experiences
The starting pitcher is the undisputed leader of their team when they take the mound. Hurlers who twirl no-hitters etched their names in the record books, even if they did not get the win. Limiting a Major League lineup to zero hits over 9 innings is astounding.
Fans are drawn to no-hitters since they get to witness living baseball history. Seeing a pitcher in the zone and working toward completing a ‘no-no’ creates palpable drama and excitement. No-hitters exemplify individual brilliance and achievement in a team sport.
Thus, no-hitters stand out as pillars of the game’s lore, including those by losing pitchers. While victims of tough luck, their accomplishment on that day will be forever remembered, even without a win to show for it.
Conclusion
No-hitters demonstrate height of excellence in pitching. Hurling one and coming out on the losing end is unlikely but remains one of baseball’s quirky possibilities. Win-loss records don’t always do justice to how well a pitcher performed.
Despite not getting credit for the win, pitchers like Matt Young who were beaten despite not allowing a hit have still accomplished something rare and special. No-hitters thrown by losing pitchers are unusual parts of baseball’s extensive history.