The
next no-hitter in my on-going sub-set through the 1970’s celebrating
all the gems thrown by pitchers is a second appearance by the Montreal
Expos’ Bill Stoneman, who also threw a no-hitter in 1969:
Stoneman became of the rare breed of Major League pitchers with multiple
no-hitters when he finished the 1972 season with a 7-0 no-no against
the New York Mets at Jarry Park, making him the very first to throw a
no-hitter outside the United States.
While he struck out nine Mets during the game, he also issued seven walks, so it wasn’t exactly a dominating performance.
Nevertheless, Stoneman got into the MLB record books with no-hitter #2
for his career, while opposing pitcher Jim McAndrew took the loss,
finishing his season at 11-8.
The no-hit shutout would allow Stoneman to lower his season ERA below
3.00, finishing up at 2.98 while going 12-14 with four shutouts 13
complete games, with 171 strikeouts.
The season also saw him get his one and only All-Star nod, however sadly
for him arm troubles set in the following season, in which he posted a
record of 4-8 with an ERA at 6.80 over 29 appearances and 96.2 innings.
In April of 1974 the California Angels purchased him but the change of
scenery didn’t help, as Stoneman would go on to post a record of 1-8
over 13 appearances, with an ERA of 6.14 over 58.2 innings pitched.
By June, the Angels released him and he was out of Big League ball for good.