Can a Major League Baseball Game Be Won Without Any Hits from the Team's Own Players?

Yes, unsurprisingly, this remarkable occurrence has happened six times in Major League Baseball (MLB) history.

The Latest Non-Official No-Hitter

On June 20, 2023, the Pittsburgh Pirates won against the Cincinnati Reds after scoring in the bottom of the eighth inning. They didn't record any official hits in the entire game, and similarly, the Cincinnati Reds had only four hits themselves, which were not sufficient to score any runs. Hence, the Pirates won without securing a hit.

Further Historical Illustrations

The Pirates weren't the first team in MLB history to achieve this feat. On July 8, 2023, Elly De la Cruz of the Cincinnati Reds put pressure on the defense by successfully reaching all four bases via single and stolen bases. If he had accomplished this using walks and managed to score without the opponents scoring any runs, the scenario would have satisfied the criteria for a game where no hits from the team's own players result in a win.

Another Noteworthy Example

The most recent game of this nature occurred on April 23, 1964. Ken Johnson of the Colt .45s (the name used by the Houston Astros from 1962 to 1964) pitched an impressive eight-inning no-hitter. In the ninth inning, Pete Rose reached base on an error, moved up to second on a groundout, and scored on another error. Despite pitcher Johnson's perfect game, the Pirates still managed to muster just enough runs without relying solely on hits to secure a victory.

Understanding the Possibility Through Factors

It's more than just a rare occurrence. Several factors can lead to runs being scored without the team's own players hitting the ball:

Errors by the Opposing Team: A single error can often be enough to score a run, especially in a base-loaded situation with no outs. Walks and Hit-by-Pitch: These are the lifeblood of a team's offense when they can't get hits. Sacrifice Bunts and Sacrifice Flies: These plays are often used to drive in runners when the team needs to score. Fielders' Choices: When a fielder attempts to get an out but advances a runner, runs can still be scored. Wild Pitches: Pitches that leave the batter with a good chance to take a base or score.

Though it's a rare phenomenon, there are many historical examples in MLB that illustrate how no-hitters and runs scored without hits can coexist. These games are more about defensive lapses and strategic plays rather than a one-to-one relationship between hits and runs.

Conclusion

Major League Baseball has seen instances where a game could be won without any hits from the team's own players. This unique situation is made possible by a combination of errors, offensive strategies, and other factors outside of the typical batting scenarios. While rare, these games continue to be a fascinating aspect of the sport.