List of Arizona Diamondbacks no-hitters
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a Major League Baseball franchise based in Phoenix, Arizona. Formed in 1998, they play in the National League West division. Pitchers for the Diamondbacks have thrown 2 no-hitters in franchise history.[1] A no-hitter is officially recognized by Major League Baseball only "when a pitcher (or pitchers) retires each batter on the opposing team during the entire course of a game, which consists of at least nine innings".[2] No-hitters of less than nine complete innings were previously recognized by the league as official; however, several rule alterations in 1991 changed the rule to its current form.[3] A no-hitter is rare enough that one team in Major League Baseball has never had a pitcher accomplish the feat.[a] Randy Johnson threw the first and only perfect game, a special subcategory of no-hitter, in Diamondbacks history on May 18, 2004.[4] As defined by Major League Baseball, "in a perfect game, no batter reaches any base during the course of the game."[2]
The umpire is also an integral part of any no-hitter. The task of the umpire in a baseball game is to make any decision "which involves judgment, such as, but not limited to, whether a batted ball is fair or foul, whether a pitch is a strike or a ball, or whether a runner is safe or out… [the umpire's judgment on such matters] is final."[5] Part of the duties of the umpire making calls at home plate includes defining the strike zone, which "is defined as that area over homeplate (sic) the upper limit of which is a horizontal line at the midpoint between the top of the shoulders and the top of the uniform pants, and the lower level is a line at the hollow beneath the kneecap."[5] These calls define every baseball game and are therefore integral to the completion of any no-hitter.[6]
The manager is another integral part of any no-hitter. The tasks of the manager include determining the starting rotation as well as batting order and defensive lineup every game.
List of no-hitters in Diamondbacks history
| ¶ | Indicates a perfect game |
| £ | Pitcher was left-handed |
| * | Member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum |
| # | Date | Pitcher | Final score | Base- runners |
Opponent | Catcher | Plate umpire | Manager | Notes | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | May 18, 2004 | Johnson, RandyRandy Johnson£¶* | 2–0 | 0 | @ Atlanta Braves | Hammock, RobbyRobby Hammock | Gibson, GregGreg Gibson | Brenly, BobBob Brenly |
|
[7] |
| 2 | June 25, 2010 | Jackson, EdwinEdwin Jackson | 1–0 | 10 | @ Tampa Bay Rays | Montero, MiguelMiguel Montero | Johnson, AdrianAdrian Johnson | Hinch, A. J.A. J. Hinch |
|
[8] |
Footnotes
- a The only team without a no-hitter in franchise history is the San Diego Padres.
References
- ↑ "Arizona Diamondbacks Franchise History". ESPN. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
- 1 2 "MLB Miscellany: Rules, regulations and statistics". MLB.com. Major League Baseball. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
- ↑ Kurkjian, Tim (June 29, 2008). "No-hit win makes no sense, except in baseball". ESPN. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
- ↑ "Arizona Diamondbacks". Baseball Almanac. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
- 1 2 "Umpires: Rules of Interest". MLB.com. Major League Baseball. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
- ↑ Bronson, Eric. Baseball and Philosophy: Thinking Outside the Batter's Box, Pgs 98–99. ISBN 0-8126-9556-9. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
- ↑ "May 18, 2004 Arizona Diamondbacks at Atlanta Braves Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
- ↑ "June 25, 2010 Arizona Diamondbacks at Tampa Bay Rays Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved February 11, 2011.