Only in baseball can a team get completely shut out offensively, yet win a game, as the Dodgers did last night when they beat the Angels 1-0 despite being held hitless for 9 innings.

That result is why this game didn’t count as a no-hitter for the Anaheim pitchers: Because the Dodgers didn’t have to go at-bat in the ninth, it’s not considered a complete game for Major League Baseball pitching purposes. Kookier and kookier.

Actually, I can see a parallel in football. It’s entirely possible for a team in that sport to have a completely inept offense that doesn’t even come close to putting points on the board, but then have a defense that dominates, to the point of scoring itself. I guess a 2-0 result in the NFL or college would be the equivalent of a baseball hitless game; a more likely defensive touchdown or two, via interception or fumble, would be likelier. As for the other two big team sports, hockey and basketball: No equivalent. Too much scoring opportunity in hoops, while in puckland, even a regulation double-shutout would eventually yield to some result (a shootout win, an overtime win, or the old-fashioned tie, depending on the league).