Pitching milestones define moments of greatness in major league baseball. This piece decodes two such feats so fans can tell them apart without jargon. One feat allows no hits but can include walks or errors. The other allows zero baserunners—27 up, 27 down.
The sweep of mlb history shows how rare true perfection is. Across more than 237,000 contests, Major League Baseball has recorded just 24 of the flawless outings. The most recent came from the New York Yankees’ Domingo Germán on June 28, 2023.
This guide puts the spotlight on the player on the mound, the pressure each pitch brings, and why one baserunner changes the story. Expect clear definitions, vivid examples, and data-backed context that link the national league past to today’s stars.
Key Takeaways
- No Hitter vs Perfect Game.
- We define the two milestones in clear, accessible terms.
- Every flawless outing is also a shutout and a no-hitter by definition.
- True perfection is extremely rare in mlb history—only 24 recorded.
- Recent history matters: Domingo Germán threw the latest on June 28, 2023.
- This guide balances simple explanations with rigorous facts for all fans.
Why these two feats define greatness in Major League Baseball today
When one pitcher controls a game from first pitch to last, fans call it greatness. That control blends command, stamina, and mental toughness.
What fans mean by elite pitching is simple: ruthless command, calm in late innings, and the ability to tilt a contest for their team. These moments make heroes of pitchers and shape club lore.
Setting the stage: shutout, no-hitter, and perfection
Shutout: the pitcher (or pitchers) allow zero runs and finish every out while the team wins on the scoreboard.
No-hitter: no official hits allowed, yet hitters can still reach by walks, HBPs, errors, catcher interference, or a dropped third strike. Those are the practical ways baserunners appear and why the difference matters.
Perfect outing: 27 up, 27 down—no baserunners of any kind. For more on this rare feat, see perfect game history.
“Every inning is a test of concentration, every pitch an audition for immortality.”
- Fans applaud efficiency and late-inning nerve.
- A team can be no-hit yet still threaten via baserunners.
- Combined efforts can earn no-hitters, but a combined flawless outing at the league baseball level remains absent.
No hitter vs perfect game: definitions, rules, and the core difference
Baseball keeps two close but distinct crowns for pitchers: one rewards keeping hitters off the stat sheet, the other demands zero baserunners across nine full innings.
What is a no-hitter? How hitters can still reach base without a hit
A no-hitter means the defense allows zero official hits. Still, batters can reach base by walks, hit-by-pitch, catcher interference, fielding errors, or a dropped third strike.
What is a perfect game? 27 up, 27 down, zero baserunners
Perfect game requires 27 straight outs over nine innings: no walks, no HBPs, no errors, no catcher interference, and no dropped third strikes. It also counts as a shutout.
Every perfect game is a no-hitter—but not every no-hitter is perfect
- Hierarchy: a flawless outing automatically meets the no-hit standard.
- Dramatic difference: a single walk or error breaks perfection but can leave a no-hit intact.
- Innings rule: shortened games do not qualify as a perfect outing.
Real-world example: Edwin Jackson’s far-from-perfect no-hitter
On June 25, 2010, Edwin Jackson allowed eight walks, one hit-by-pitch, and an error yet surrendered zero hits. That night shows how a no-hit label can hide chaos and heroism at once.
Rarity, records, and how perfection rewrites MLB history
Across more than a century, flawless nine-inning performances are rarities that reshape legacy. In roughly 237,000–238,000 contests, only 24 such outings exist. That makes the feat about 0.01% of all games in mlb history.
How rare is that accomplishment?
Just 24 times a single pitcher retired every batter across nine innings. The New York Yankees lead with four entries in this club. The most recent came from Domingo Germán on June 28, 2023.
From pitches to innings: notable superlatives
Superlatives tell the story: Matt Cain threw 125 pitches in his 2012 masterpiece, while Addie Joss needed only 74 in 1908. The 2012 season astonished fans with three such outings in one year.
Why combined outcomes remain absent in MLB
Combined no-hitters exist, but MLB has never recorded a combined perfect result. One reliever’s walk or misplay ends the streak of flawless batters. Even a single base allowed breaks the chain, which is why a combined perfect remains a statistical heavy lift.
“Perfection asks for focus on each pitch and every batter. It rewards the pitcher who makes no slip across nine innings.”
Iconic moments: New York Yankees, World Series drama, and unforgettable games
Few franchises loom larger in October lore than the New York Yankees. Their history ties dramatic postseason nights to legends on the mound.
Don Larsen’s 1956 perfect game in Game 5 remains the only flawless outing in World Series play. That start, against the Brooklyn Dodgers, still defines postseason magic.
Don Larsen’s 1956 World Series perfect game to Domingo Germán’s 2023 gem
Decades later the New York Yankees added Domingo Germán’s 2023 gem to franchise lore. Together, these moments span years and cement the club’s aura.
Playoff no-hitters, Astros’ 2022 combined masterpiece, and Matt Cain’s strikeout symphony
Postseason drama also brought Roy Halladay’s 2010 NLDS effort and the Houston Astros’ combined feat in Game 4 of the 2022 World Series. Those starts show how pressure can sharpen focus.
- Matt Cain struck out 14 in his 2012 perfect game, a dominant display of stuff and command.
- Bill Bevens came within one out in 1947 before a double flipped a World Series night.
- Each pitch in October can swing a series and become a lasting memory in MLB history.
For a deeper look at classic postseason scenes, see this collection of great World Series moments.
Conclusion
In major league baseball, the distinction is sharp: a no-hitter perfect label blocks hits, while a true perfect game allows zero routes to base for any batters. Even one walk, HBP, error, or dropped third strike breaks that chain.
Across games mlb history, only 24 perfect games exist. That rarity gives each instance weight in league baseball and baseball history. Combined no-hitters have happened, including in the 2022 World Series, but none produced a combined flawless result.
Use precise terms when praising a pitcher. Respect the rules that separate near-myth from absolute triumph. This content equips fans to spot greatness.
Whether you cheer for a team or a player, remember: perfection sits just 27 outs away. Stay tuned, watch each inning closely, and let the moment you witness become part of baseball’s long years of legend.
FAQ
What is the difference between a no-hitter and a perfect game?
Why do these feats define greatness in Major League Baseball?
How can a batter reach base during a no-hit outing without recording a hit?
How many perfect games have occurred in MLB history?
Can multiple pitchers combine for a perfect outing?
Are postseason perfect or no-hit efforts counted the same as regular-season ones?
Which teams and pitchers are most associated with historic perfect or no-hit moments?
What role does defense play in these elite pitching feats?
How do official MLB rules define the requirements for a no-hit or perfect outing?
Are there notable near-misses or controversial no-hit calls in history?
