Kyle Schwarber avoids being no-hit in Philadelphia Phillies no-hitter

The New York Mets finally recorded the second no-hitter in franchise history. Nearly a decade after Johan Santana ended their 50 year run without having fired one, and ended his career in the process, the Mets learned their lesson. This time, they learned their lesson in the 159 pitch effort against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Tyler Megill went the first five innings, walking three while striking out five batters. Four other relievers combined to record the final 12 outs in the contest, finishing off the combined no-hitter. The 159 total pitches are five more pitches than had ever been thrown previously in a nine inning no-hitter.

Kyle Schwarber avoids Philadelphia Phillies’ no-hitter despite being in lineup

Naturally, as the Mets combined for a no-hitter, one would expect that every member of the Phillies lineup failed to record a hit. While that is technically true, Kyle Schwarber managed to avoid being a part of that despite being in the lineup.

It is not as though Schwarber only had one plate appearance. He entered the batter’s box three times as the sixth hitter in the Phillies’ lineup. However, he was never credited with an official at bat as he walked in every single one of those plate appearances.

That made him a statistical anomaly in this game. While the Phillies were no-hit as a whole, Schwarber technically was not. As he never received an official plate appearance, he was not a part of the Mets’ historic showing.

It is not the first time this has been done. Bill Hall drew three walks in his three plate appearances when Justin Verlander fired a no-hitter against the Brewers. There may be other examples where that happened as well. But quirks such as this are a part of what makes baseball such a unique game; on any night, there could be something that one has never seen before.

The New York Mets combined to no-hit the Philadelphia Phillies. Despite being in the lineup, Kyle Schwarber avoided the no-hitter.