Baltimore’s John Means Throws No Hitter

We’re just slightly more than a month into the 2021 baseball season, and no hitters are becoming a dime a dozen. On May 5th, Baltimore Orioles lefthander John Means threw the third no hitter of the season (plus Madison Bumgarner’s non no hitter in a seven inning game) shutting out the Mariners 6-0 in Seattle. It was the first no hitter by a single pitcher for the Orioles since Hall of Famer Jim Palmer pitched one in 1969.

This was about as close to a perfect game as one can pitch. Means struck out 12 and walked none; the only baserunner reached first after striking out on a pitch that broke sharply into the dirt and got away from catcher Pedro Severino. Means was charged with a wild pitch. Severino then threw the runner out attempting to steal second base. Means only pitched to 27 batters, the same as in a perfect game.

This was also the first complete game of Means’ career, which began with a single appearance in 2018. Means is off to a great start this season, with a 4-0 record and 1.37 ERA in seven starts.