A no-hitter is a rare and special feat in Major League Baseball (MLB). It’s a game in which no opposing player reaches base on hits. It’s a special accomplishment that has only been done 271 times in the history of the game. But, has anyone ever lost a no-hitter? The answer is yes.
What is a No-Hitter?
A no-hitter is a game in which no opposing player reaches base on hits. This means that the entire defensive team works together to prevent the other team from collecting any hits. This is an incredibly difficult feat to accomplish, as the opposing team will often try their best to get hits.
A pitcher is credited with the no-hitter if he pitches the entire game, or if the last pitcher is the one who prevents the opposing team from collecting any hits. If a relief pitcher enters the game and completes the no-hitter, they are credited with a combined no-hitter.
History of No-Hitters
No-hitters have been a part of MLB since the 19th century. The first official no-hitter was thrown by George Bradley in 1876. Since then, 271 no-hitters have been thrown in the major leagues, with the most recent one being thrown by Justin Verlander in 2019.
The most no-hitters thrown by a single pitcher belongs to Nolan Ryan, who threw seven no-hitters in his career. The most no-hitters thrown in a single season is four, which happened in 1990 and 1991.
Has Anyone Lost a No-Hitter?
Even though no-hitters are a rare feat, they can still be lost. In fact, it has happened more times than you might think. In the history of MLB, there have been nine instances in which a team lost a no-hitter.
The first instance of a team losing a no-hitter was in 1908 when the Chicago Cubs were defeated by the Philadelphia Phillies. The Phillies won the game 1-0, despite the Cubs pitcher, Orval Overall, throwing a no-hitter.
The most recent instance of a team losing a no-hitter occurred in 2017 when the Miami Marlins lost to the New York Mets. The Marlins pitcher, Edinson Volquez, threw a no-hitter, but the Mets managed to win the game 1-0 in the 10th inning.
Factors That Contribute to a Team Losing a No-Hitter
There are several factors that can contribute to a team losing a no-hitter. One factor is the quality of the defense. If the defense makes mistakes or is unable to make plays, it increases the chances of the opposing team getting a hit.
Another factor is the quality of the pitching. Even if the defense is playing well, if the pitcher is having an off day or is not able to locate his pitches effectively, it increases the chances of the opposing team getting a hit.
A third factor is the quality of the opposing team. If the opposing team is a good hitting team, it increases the chances of them getting at least one hit.
Finally, luck and chance can also play a factor. Even if all of the above factors are in the team’s favor, a team can still lose a no-hitter if the opposing team gets lucky or if the ball falls in the right spot.
Conclusion
Yes, it is possible for a team to lose a no-hitter. In the history of MLB, there have been nine instances in which a team has lost a no-hitter. The primary factors that contribute to a team losing a no-hitter are the quality of the defense, the quality of the pitching, the quality of the opposing team, and luck and chance.