About Geoff Expertise Huge baseball trivia lover! I will attempt to answer anything you can think of when it comes to major league baseball. I have a large reference library of all things baseball. Try to stump me!
Thanks for the extra two bases. Now what can you tell me about no-hitters? I read where the powers that be had decided that an 8 inning no hitter did not count as an official no hitter. Fact or fiction? Also, would it then not be possible for a visiting pitcher to pitch a no hitter and lose (not an extra inning affair)? And what about a rain shortened game where, say after 6 innings the game is called - does the starting pitcher get credit for a "complete" game no-hitter (of course figuring that he is still in the game when the game is called)? Any info on this in your wealth of knowledge storage tank? Thanks Much.
Answer Hi Frank,
You are correct in that the powers that be in MLB have decided that unless a pitcher pitches at least 9 innings, he does not get credit for a no-hitter.
In 1992 Red Sox pitcher Matt Young pitched a complete game on the road, the Red Sox lost the game 2-1. Despite the fact that he gave up no hits, it's not a "no hitter".
The Red Sox last game last season was a 9-0 win in a 5-inning rain-shortened game in with rookie pitcher Devern Hansack got credit for a complete game shut-out. He gave up no hits but again, it's not considered to be a no-hitter!
Here are websites that list all the true no-hitters and the games that no longer are considered to be no-hitters.
