Article: Brewers Allow One Hit in Win: Rare Performance by the Numbers

[Tim Muma]

Wednesday, the 3-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates marked just the 22nd time in team history that the Milwaukee Brewers' allowed one or zero hits in a game. Aaron Ashby got the start, but it was a total staff effort, which isn't necessarily the norm. Let's look at some numbers and trends from this rare Brewers' feat.

 

Of Milwaukee's 22 no-hitters and one-hitters, 27% have happened in the past four seasons. Of course, last September was the most recent occurrence, when Corbin Burnes and Josh Hader combined to throw the Brewers' second no-hitter in club history. Milwaukee's pitching staff also tossed a pair of one-hitters in 2021. Interestingly, Freddy Peralta started both those contests, and Brad Boxberger had a hitless appearance in each game.

These games haven't happened much in franchise history, and one can find a variety of similarities and differences in the Brewers' 22 one or no-hitters.

RUNS ALLOWED
Thirteen of the 22 such games were shutouts, which shouldn't surprise. Wednesday's win was the seventh time Milwaukee allowed just one run, while an opponent scored twice in one contest back in 1977.

However, there was one time, in 1996, that the Brewers gave up three runs during a one-hitter. The Kansas City Royals are the only team to score at least three times against Milwaukee in a one-hitter, and it resulted in the Brewers' single loss, a 4-3 defeat on a three-run home run.

MOST STRIKEOUTS
Brewers' hurlers picked up 12 strikeouts Wednesday, the fourth-highest total in a one or no-hitter. It was the third time they recorded exactly 12 punchouts. Milwaukee also had 13 strikeouts in 1997 and 14 in 2020. 

The most punchouts came last season during the Burnes-Hader no-hitter when they sat down 16 hitters via the K. On the opposite side of the spectrum, a 1973 one-hitter saw the Brewers strike out zero batters and walk eight but still prevail 2-0.

MOST WALKS
Speaking of walks, Milwaukee issued seven free passes on Wednesday, the third-most in this type of game. Aaron Ashby was responsible for five of them, with Josh Hader surprisingly walking a pair.

It was a 1977 contest that saw Brewers' hurlers walk 11 opponents. Despite so many runners and only four strikeouts, Milwaukee won 4-2 (both opponent runs were unearned).

PITCHERS USED
As a sign of the times, Milwaukee utilized five pitchers to throw a one-hitter on Wednesday. This was the first time the Brewers needed that many arms to complete the game. Milwaukee used four pitchers on two occasions (1998 and 2020), with a trio of hurlers participating in three of the 22 games.

The other 16 one or no-hitters are split down the middle, with the starter going the distance eight times and a lone reliever coming in eight times.

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES

• The Brewers had an error in three of the 22 games (13.6%)
• Wednesday was the third time Milwaukee held Pittsburgh to one or zero hits, tied with the Baltimore Orioles for the most
• The longest span between Brewers' one or no-hitters is 11 years (1997-2008)
• In the franchise's 20 one-hitters:
  • Eight were singles (including Wednesday)
  • Six were doubles
  • Five were home runs
  • One was a triple

It's no secret the Brewers have a phenomenal pitching staff from top to bottom. With the offensive struggles across baseball thus far, Milwaukee will likely add at least a couple more one or no-hitters to its franchise history in 2022.

 

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