Since the foundation of the Pacific Coast League (PCL) in 1903, its pitchers have thrown 169 no-hitters, which include 10 perfect games. Of these no-hitters, 108 were pitched in games that lasted at least the full 9 innings, while 61 were pitched in games shortened due to weather or that were played in doubleheaders, which are typically 7 innings. Only 3 of the league's 10 perfect games were tossed in full 9-inning games. Eleven no-hitters, including one perfect game, were combined—thrown by two or more pitchers on the same team.
A no-hit game occurs when a pitcher (or pitchers) allows no hits during the entire course of a game. A batter may still reach base via a walk, an error, a fielder's choice, a hit by pitch, a passed ball or wild pitch on strike three, or catcher's interference.[1] Due to these methods of reaching base, it is possible for a team to score runs without getting any hits. While the vast majority of no-hitters are shutouts, teams which went hitless have managed to score runs in their respective games 24 times in PCL games, some in extra innings.
Nine league pitchers have thrown multiple no-hitters. The pitcher who holds the record for the shortest time between no-hit games is Tom Drees, who pitched two for the Vancouver Canadians five days apart in 1989. Drees threw a third no-hitter that season, giving him the record for the most career PCL no-hitters. After Drees, Charley Hall (1905 and 1906), Eli Cates (1906 and 1907), Charles Fanning (1914 and 1916), Elmer Singleton (1952 and 1955), Roger Bowman (1952 and 1954), Sam McDowell (1961 and 1964), Dick Estelle (1964 and 1965), and Alan Foster (both in 1967) have each thrown two no-hitters.
The team with the most no-hitters is the Portland Beavers, with 21, one of which was a perfect game. They are followed by the Oakland Commuters/Oaks (17 no-hitters, 1 a perfect game) and the Tacoma Rainiers (previously known as the Tigers, Giants, Twins, and Yankees; 17 no-hitters). The team with the most perfect games is the Nashville Sounds, with two. Of the three nine-inning perfect games in the league's history, two were thrown by Nashville.
^The dateline for newspaper accounts of the game indicate it was played in San Jose, California.
^Portland scored a run after Bill Wallace drew a walk, advanced to second base when another player was hit by a pitch, moved up to third on a sacrifice, and came home to score on a wild pitch in the seventh inning.
^The game, the second part of a doubleheader, was called after six innings to allow the teams to catch the train.
^Vernon scored a run after Roy Brashear drew a walk, advanced to second base when the next batter also walked, and came home to score on a throwing error in the eighth inning.
^Vernon scored two runs after three walks and two errors in the sixth inning.
^Los Angeles scored a run after George Metzger drew a walk, stole second base, advanced to third on a sacrifice, and came home to score on another sacrifice in the fifth inning.
^Malarkey allowed no hits through nine innings before allowing a double in the tenth. The game, the morning game of a doubleheader, was called and declared a tie after ten innings.
^The game, the second game of a doubleheader, was called due to rain after six innings.
^Venice scored a run after Lou Litschi reached second base on a throwing error, advanced to third on a sacrifice, and came home to score on a wild pitch in the fifth inning.
^Prough allowed no hits through 10 innings before allowing a hit in the 11th. He was taken out of the game in the 17th, and Oakland scored the winning run in the 18th.
^Vernon scored a run after Walt Doan drew a walk, stole second base, advanced to third on a sacrifice fly, and came home on another sac fly in the fourth inning.
^Umpire Byron awarded the game to Seattle via forfeit after the Los Angeles battery, George Lyons and Red Baldwin, were ejected from the game for arguing over his calling of balls and strikes and then refused to leave the field.
^Boehler allowed no hits through nine innings before allowing a hit in the tenth, in which Sacramento scored two runs.
^Sacramento scored a run after Dolph Camilli walked, advanced to second base on a wild pitch, moved up to third on a sacrifice, and came home on another sacrifice in the seventh inning.
^Ward allowed no hits through 12 innings before allowing a single in the 13th.
^Singleton allowed no hits through 12 innings before allowing a hit in the 13th, in which Sacramento scored the winning run.
^San Francisco scored a run after Mike Baxes walked, advanced to second base on a sacrifice, moved up to third on a wild pitch, and came home on a sacrifice fly in the seventh inning.
^Watkins allowed no hits through seven innings in the seven-inning doubleheader before allowing a hit in the ninth, in which Sacramento scored the winning run.
^Stigman allowed no hits through 10 innings before allowing a hit in the 11th.
^Salt Lake City scored a run after Jesse White walked, advanced to third base on a two-base throwing error, and came come on a sacrifice fly in the fourth inning.
^Hook allowed no hits through nine innings until the tenth, in which Tacoma scored the winning run.
^The game was called due to rain in the bottom of the sixth inning and the score reverted to that of the fifth. It was scheduled to be replayed as part of a doubleheader on August 26.
^Albuquerque scored a run after Jerry Royster reached first base on a force out, advanced to third on a two-base throwing error, and came home on a wild pitch.
^The game was called due to rain after five innings.
^Keefe allowed no hits through seven innings in the seven-inning doubleheader before allowing a hit in the eighth, in which Tucson scored the winning run.
^The game was called due to rain in the top of the seventh inning and the score reverted to that of the sixth.
^Tacoma scored a run after Kevin Bell walked, advanced to second base after another player walked, and came home on a throwing error in the eighth inning.
^Portland scored a run on a sacrifice fly in the fifth inning and another on a wild pitch in the ninth.
^Hawaii scored a run after Trench Davis walked, stole second base, advanced to third on a throwing error, and came home on a ground out in the third inning.
^Mason allowed no hits through nine innings before being relieved by Charlie Kerfeld to start the tenth. Las Vegas recorded their first hit off of Kerfeld in the tenth inning and scored the winning run in the eleventh.
^The game was called due to rain in the bottom of the fifth inning.
^Hawblitzel allowed no hits through nine innings before allowing a hit in the tenth, in which Vancouver scored the winning run.
^Iowa scored a run after Allen Battle reached base on an error and came home on a sacrifice fly in the first inning.
^Iowa scored a run after Angel Echevarria reached first base on an error, advanced to second after another player walked, moved up to third when another player was hit by a pitch, and came home on a ground out.
^Albuquerque scored a run after Andrew Beattie walked, advanced to second base on a throwing error, stole third, and came home on a sacrifice fly in the fourth inning.
^Iowa scored after Todd Glaesmann walked, advanced to second base on a throwing error, moved up to third when another player walked, and came home on a fielding error in the eighth inning.
^The game was called due to rain in the top of the sixth inning and the score reverted to that of the fifth.