What are the most recent no-hitters in Orioles history?

Where were you on the afternoon of May 5, 2021? On this date, Baltimore Orioles starting pitcherJohn Means made history with a no-hitter against the Mariners.

This game was remarkable. It marked the first Orioles' no-no since 1991 (which came at the Athletics, a combined no-hitter by Bob Milacki, Mike Flanagan, Mark Williamson and Gregg Olson).

If combined no-hitters aren't your thing, Means' dominant outing represented the first completed no-no by an Orioles starter since 1969 (Jim Palmer, also against the Athletics - the team's last no-hitter at home).

Means' start was nearly a perfect game, too. The only Mariners runner to reach base came because of a dropped third strike by catcher Pedro Severino. The resulting baserunner, Sam Haggerty, was caught stealing on the next pitch. Technically, Means' start remains imperfect, but it was the only such game in the long history of baseball. He allowed neither a hit, nor a walk, nor an error behind him.

Baltimore Orioles No-Hitter History: John Means Blanks Mariners

Baltimore was set for their last game of a three-game series in Seattle. In the early portion of the season, the rebuilding Orioles got off to a good start with a 14-16 record after a loss in the game prior. Means, Cedric Mullins (in the middle of his breakout season), Austin Hays, Ryan Mountcastle and Ramon Urías are all still in the organization, by the way.

The game was a lefty matchup: Means vs Yusei Kikuchi. The Orioles had never faced Kikuchi before. After a scoreless first inning for both teams, the Birds struck first.

After a wild pitch, DJ Stewart drove in Mounty to put Baltimore on the board. The next batter, Urías, tried to force a two-bagger, but was out trying to stretch a double. Stewart scored, and the Orioles jumped ahead 2-0.

Means' game started pretty well. Like his first half of 2021, he played great. He didn't throw more than seven pitches in an at-bat in the entire game. All matchups ended quickly. Two pitches, three pitches, four pitches ... until the bottom of the third, when Haggerty reached base after a dropped third strike. Oh, Severino...

Means continued his dominance at Safeco Field, and Kikuchi rebounded after his second inning. Baltimore scored in the top of the seventh inning with a bomb by Pat Valaika to make it 3-0 Orioles. After six full innings, Means had thrown just 68 pitches.

Seattle pulled Kikuchi and brought in Aaron Fletcher to replace him. Our beloved Trey Mancini hit a Earl Weaver special against him for more insurance runs, making it 6-0 O's. The game was decided, but the no-hitter still needed to be finished.

The next Mariners' batter, Kyle Lewis, almost ended the whole shebang with a bomb to left field, but Austin Hays was there and preserved the no-no. The moment served as a little strenuous breath for Birdland and baseball fans alike. From there, Means settled in: strikeout, strikeout, flyout, strikeout, strikeout, popout, strikeout and a lineout in Urías' glove for history. John Means had done it. He'd completed a no-hitter. An historical achievement: the 10th no-hitter in Orioles' history.

And the game was even more special for being earned by John Means, a guy who almost quit on baseball (check his LinkedIn history here), then became an All-Star and threw a no-no. Birdland loves you, Means.

John Means' final numbers: 9 IP, 12 K (all but Kyle Lewis and J.P. Crawford ended up with a K) on 113 pitches.

Time of the game: 2:25 (no pitch clock)