no-hitter
Noun A baseball game in which one team's pitcher prevents the opposing team from achieving any base hits throughout the entire game. It is a significant pitching achievement, though it does not necessarily mean the pitcher prevented all batters from reaching base (as walks or errors can still occur).
The term "no-hitter" is used specifically in the context of baseball statistics and game summaries. It refers to the collective accomplishment of a team's pitching staff (though often credited to a single starting pitcher) in preventing hits.
Examples * The pitcher threw a no-hitter last night, leading his team to a 1-0 victory. * She made history by pitching a no-hitter in her major league debut. * The team celebrated their first no-hitter in over a decade.
- "To throw a no-hitter": This is the standard verb collocation used to describe the act of pitching a no-hitter.
- The veteran pitcher finally threw a no-hitter after fifteen seasons in the league.
- "To lose a no-hitter": Refers to a situation where a pitcher has prevented hits for most of the game but then allows a hit, thus not completing the official achievement.
- He lost his no-hitter with two outs in the ninth inning on a soft single to center field.
- Perfect Game: A more rare and stringent achievement than a no-hitter. A perfect game is a game in which a pitcher allows no opposing player to reach base at all (no hits, walks, or errors).
- Shutout: A game in which one team prevents the other from scoring any runs. A no-hitter is always a shutout, but a shutout is not always a no-hitter.
- No-hit game: A less common, but direct, synonym.
- "To have a no-hitter going": Describes a game in progress where a pitcher has not yet allowed a hit.
- The announcer whispered, "He has a no-hitter going through seven innings."
- a game in which a pitcher allows the opposing team no hits