Image via Complex Original
Jake Arrieta threw baseball’s first no-hitter of 2016 last night in a 16-0 Cubs win over the Reds. It was a historic night for last year’s N.L. Cy Young Award winner, who threw his second no-hitter in eight months.
While Arrieta may have no trouble blanking batters, it’s a pretty rare feat for just about everyone else. There have been 252 no-hitters in the majors since 1901, an average of just over two per season and it’s relative scarcity makes it one of sports’ most prestigious individual accomplishments.
But that doesn’t mean that other sports don’t have single-game feats that are about as rare—or impressive—as a no-hitter. What is the equivalent of a no-hitter in other sports, you might ask? Well, these...
NFL: Five TD Passes
There have been 207 five touchdown games by NFL quarterbacks since 1937. This has historically been a tough plateau to reach, but it has become much more attainable as of late—11 five touchdown games took place last year alone. Drew Brees and Peyton Manning are tied for the most five-touchdown games in NFL history, each has 10.
NBA: 55-Point Games
In terms of frequency, this one is probably the most equitable—and impressive—as a no-hitter. There have been 154 55-point games in NBA history, which much like a no-hitter, also translates to about two per season. There were three 55-point games in the NBA this season: DeMarcus Cousins scored 56 against the Hornets in January, Anthony Davis scored 59 against the Pistons in February, and most notably, Kobe Bryant scored 60 against the Jazz last week.
NHL: Five Goal Games
Five goal games are the NHL’s gold standard single-game statistic. Such games have only happened 60 times since 1918. No player has done this since the Red Wings’ Johan Franzen in 2011.
Premier League: Four Goal Games
If a player scores a couple of goals, that’s a pretty good offensive day. If a player scores multiple goals, that’s a spectacular day. Four or more in a game? Amazing.
Only 30 four-goal games have taken place in the English Premier League since it was established in 1992. This season has seen two such games: Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero scored five goals against Newcastle United last October and Georginio Wijnaldum scored four games for Newcastle United against Norwich City.
