Expos toss no-no in franchise’s 9th game, 50 years ago today

The Montreal Expos’ Bill Stoneman no-hit the Philadelphia Phillies in the Expos franchise’s ninth game, 50 years ago today.

The San Diego Padres, an expansion partner of the Expos, are still awaiting the team’s first no-hitter.

On April 17, 1969, Stoneman held the Phillies hitless over nine innings for a 7-0 victory at Connie Mack Stadium, walking five and striking out eight. It’s the earliest a franchise has knocked the accomplishment off its bucket list. Stoneman would throw one more no-hitter in 1972.

Here’s when the other two 1969 expansion teams exited the no no-no club:

Kansas City Royals

In his 10th big-league start, Kansas City Royals starter Steve Busby no-hit the Detroit Tigers for a 3-0 victory on April 27, 1973, despite walking five batters. Busby would throw another no-hitter on June 19, 1974, becoming the first pitcher to ever throw two no-nos in his first two full seasons (he had thrown a couple of late-season games in 1972). Other Royals pitchers would throw two more no-hitters to give the franchise a total of four.

Seattle Pilots

The Pilots lasted just one season in Seattle, and the team couldn’t notch a no-hitter or even a one-hitter during those 162 games (they did get three two-hitters). After the squad moved to Milwaukee and was renamed the Brewers, the franchise would have to wait 17 years for its first no-hitter. Juan Nieves became the first Puerto Rico native to throw a no-no on April 15, 1987 as the Brewers topped the Baltimore Orioles 7-0. Robin Yount made a game-ending diving catch to preserve Nieves’ gem, which remains the Brewers’ only no-no.