YEAR OF THE NO-NO

SportsBeat!

Written by Aaron Cantin

When you think of 2021, what do you think of? COVID-19? The Olympics? President Joe Biden? Lock-down? Well, how about no-hitter? Earlier this week, Detroit Tigers pitcher Scott Turnbull recorded this season's fifth no-hitter as the Seattle Mariners were no-hit for the second time this season. You didn't misread that.

Actually, there were technically six no-hitters this year. San Francisco Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner shut out Atlanta on April 25 and allowed no hits in the process. But because of doubleheader rules developed last season, the game was limited to seven innings. Crazy. I can't believe I'm saying this, especially considering we're not even two months into the season yet, but I've ranked the no-hitters this season from least to most impressive.

Cincinnati shuts down Cleveland | Photo from Ken Blaze, USA TODAY Sports

Spencer Turnbull, Detroit Tigers (May 18 vs. Seattle)

Box Score: 9 IP, 0 H, 2 BB, 9K - He said he did not feel right at all to start the game, but Turnbull, who led the majors in losses in 2019, made quick work of the Mariners, striking out nine and allowing only two base runners on walks. Of his 117 pitches, 77 went for strikes. He also induced 12 ground-outs versus just two fly-outs. Impressive stuff, although on this list, this one comes in as least impressive.

Wade Miley, Cincinnati Reds (May 8 vs. Cleveland)

Box Score: 9 IP, 0 H, 1 BB, 8K - Miley had to wait out an 83-minute rain delay before getting started, but he needed only 2 hours 34 minutes to record baseball's fourth no-hitter of the season. What made this one more impressive was the score. Heading into the ninth, the game was still scoreless. Pressure always plays a factor in rankings. On the night, Miley struck out eight against just the one walk. It was the 17th no-hitter in Reds franchise history. As impressive as a night it was, the one walk and one hit by pitch are what places him near the bottom of the no-no company.

Joe Musgrove, San Diego Padres (April 9 vs. Texas Rangers)

Box Score: 9 IP, 0 H, 0 BB, 10K -. The Padres' starter, a local product who grew up rooting for the team and wears No. 44 to honour former Cy Young Award winner Jake Peavy, twirled the first no-hitter in franchise history during a 3-0 victory at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. Musgrove snapped the streak at 8,206 regular-season games by allowing only one baserunner -- on a hit by a pitch in the fourth -- and striking out ten batters over nine innings. The hometown story really hits you in the feels, but the hit by pitch has to put him below Means. Also, considering the thought of a perfect game was gone in the sixth inning is why Musgrove's no-no ranks third on the list.

Carlos Rodon, Chicago White Sox (April 14 vs. Cleveland)

Box Score: 9 IP, 0 H, 0 BB, 7K - Rodon was two outs from baseball's 24th perfect game when he hit Roberto Perez with a pitch. Rodon, 28, threw 114 pitches in the complete game, looking as strong at the end of the contest as he did at the beginning. One of his final pitches hit 98.8 mph -- the hardest he has thrown a ball since 2016. What adds to Rodon's no-hitter is the storyline. Rodon's baseball journey has been filled with disappointment, mostly tied to injuries, including Tommy John's surgery in 2019. He was the third overall pick in the 2014 amateur draft but was non-tendered by the White Sox this offseason only to sign back with them on a one-year deal for $3 million. This is what dreams are made of and why Rodon ranks second on my list.

John Means, Baltimore Orioles (May 5 vs. Seattle Mariners)

Box Score: 9 IP, 0 H, 0 BB, 12K

Like Musgrove, Means was breaking a long streak for his franchise: No Baltimore starter had thrown a no-hitter on their own since Jim Palmer did so in 1969. Means had never thrown a complete game and said later that he found himself nervous in the ninth inning. Means threw 26 of 27 first-pitch strikes, an absurd 96.3% first-pitch strike rate overall. This is a feat that's only been achieved by one other pitcher who's faced at least 25 batters in a game since 2000. There have been 23 perfect games in major league baseball history, but John Means is one of just twelve pitchers who would have joined the club but for a fielding error or some similar random happenstance event. Means faced a minimum of 27 batters, had no walks, or hit by pitches. This has to be the most impressive of the lot.

UPDATE

Of course, as I am submitting this article New York Yankees pitcher Corey Kluber throws a no-hitter. Kluber picked up the sixth no-hitter in the big leagues this season against the Texas Rangers. Detroit Tigers right-hander Spencer Turnbull registered a no-no against the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night. It's the first time no-hitters have been tossed on consecutive days since 1969. Let's see who throws one tomorrow.