Definition

Noun A baseball game in which the pitcher for one team permits the opposing team to achieve only one base hit.

Usage

This term is a specific statistic in baseball used to describe the quality of a pitcher's performance in a single, complete game. It is a compound noun formed from the number "1" and the noun "hitter," referring to the single hit allowed.

Examples

• The rookie pitcher threw a stunning 1-hitter in his major league debut.
• The team lost the game 1-0 despite their ace throwing a complete-game 1-hitter.
• A 1-hitter is an impressive feat, just shy of the rare perfect game or no-hitter.

Advanced Usage

• The term is almost exclusively used in sports journalism and baseball statistics. It is often modified by adjectives like "complete-game," "impressive," or "hard-luck" (the latter when the pitcher's team loses the game).
• It can be used attributively (before another noun), e.g., "a 1-hitter performance."

Variants and Related Words

• No-hitter: A game in which a pitcher allows no hits.
• Perfect game: A game in which a pitcher allows no batter to reach base (no hits, walks, or errors).
• Shutout: A game in which one team prevents the other from scoring any runs.

Synonyms

• One-hit game (a less common, more descriptive synonym).

Noun

1. a game in which a pitcher allows the opposing team only one hit