AJ Smith-Shawver treated Atlanta Braves fans to an impressive start on Monday night. The 22-year-old right-hander completed eight shutout innings in Atlanta's 4-0 win over the Reds. Unfortunately, that has been overshadowed a bit with controversy over Matt Olson's inside-the-park home run.
Smith-Shawver walked four batters and struck out five on 99 pitches (60 strikes). He even flirted with the team's first no-hitter since 1994 when Kent Mercker accomplished the feat against the Dodgers.
The young hurler lost his no-hit bid on the second pitch of the eighth inning. It's heartbreaking that one pitch kept him and the Braves from history. Regardless, it was an amazing outing for the youngster and a step in the right direction.
AJ Smith-Shawver is through 7 no-hit innings in Atlanta 👀 pic.twitter.com/T2rIhmDUY9
— MLB (@MLB) May 6, 2025
AJ Smith-Shawver's almost no-hitter brought reminders of past close calls in Braves history
It just adds to the list of almost no-hitters in Braves history. MLB.com's Mark Bowman mentioned that the only teams with a longer drought between no-hitters are the Royals, Blue Jays, and Guardians.
Atlanta shortstop Nick Allen did his best to keep the no-hitter going with impressive plays on the infield. He has been an absolute revelation for the Braves this season and leads all MLB shortstops in outs above average (OAA).
Unfortunately, it didn't happen for Smith-Shawver, and it brought back memories of other close calls. Let's take a quick jog down memory lane.
Max Fried (2024)
Fried pitched extremely well through seven innings against the Mets last May. He was taken out of the game after the seventh due to a 109 pitch count. It was up to the bullpen to close it out, and Raisel Iglesias, who famously stated he didn't realize it was a no-hitter, was one out away from sealing the deal. J.D. Martinez broke everyone's hearts with a two-out solo homer.
Spencer Strider (2023)
Strider took his no-hit bid into the eighth inning against the Marlins with an impressive 83 pitch count. He had a perfect game going in the seventh, but Matt Olson's error ended that opportunity. Jean Segura broke fans' hearts in the eighth as he hit a two-strike pitch below the zone into left field to end the no-hitter. Atlanta's flamethrowing righty had 13 strikeouts at the end of that game and threw 81 of his 101 pitches for strikes. However, he did make history that night by becoming the only pitcher in Braves history to record at least nine strikeouts in nine consecutive starts.
Sean Newcomb (2018)
This one hurts similarly to Fried's almost no-hitter, as it came down to the last out of the game. It may be a bit more heartbreaking as Newcomb only needed one last strike to accomplish history. Dodgers outfielder Chris Taylor hit Newcomb's 134th pitch past a diving Johan Camargo on a 2-2 count, and it shattered the hopes of everyone in attendance.
Sean Newcomb was 1 strike away from a no-no pic.twitter.com/y9zrXAlej4
— Routine (@Routine) July 29, 2018
Mike Foltynewicz (2017)
A current Brave had a hand at dashing fans' hopes of a no-hitter in Oakland. Matt Olson was a rookie with the A's in 2017, and on a 3-2 pitch, he launched a solo homer to end the shutout and no-hitter in the ninth inning. Foltynewicz exited the game after that with 119 pitches, and it was a highlight of his time in Atlanta.
Shelby Miller (2015)
Miller also took his no-hit bid into the ninth inning against the Marlins. He had one out to go, and Justin Bour ended it with a single on the first pitch. Dee Gordon followed with another hit, but Miller was able to buckle things down and get the complete game shutout.
Maybe one day it will be the Braves' turn to experience the feeling of a no-hitter again. Until then, fans will be happy with getting wins and working toward another World Series title.