Classic Baseball Union

September 16, 1999 – Dale Johnston and the Sioux Falls fans are in the clouds tonight as Dale Johnston closed out his second career no-hitter. Similar to his first no-hitter, Johnston allowed just one walk, and this time struck out 9 Buffalo Wings hitters.

Also much like the first no-no, Johnston’s perfect game bid was broken up early in the game. This time switch hitter Ken Erickson was the culprit after being walked on four pitches.

“I just kind of let that at bat get out of hand. I got the first two hitters out on three pitches, walked Erickson on four, and then got Doyle to ground out on the first pitch. I was just trying to keep the pitch count down and give our bullpen some rest, and I missed four straight times. It happens.”  Lippy Johnston

The ninth inning was much less dramatic in this showing, Johnston despite only winning 1-0 at the time, cruised through the bottom of the ninth by getting hitters to ground out, strike out and fly out respectively, and the defense was rarely tested.

This is Johnston’s 2nd no-no and because nobody else has be able to reach the feet, the question had to be asked, when can we call the no-hitter ‘pitching a Johnston’?

“For me I’ve been fortunate to be able to reach these acheivements, I think its a bit soon to name it after me. Someone else will throw one, I think. Perhaps if I throw the first four or five, you can nickname it that.” Lippy Johnston

Johnston as you will remember blew out his arm shortly after pitching his first no-hitter. He then returned in 1998 with a mediocre season that completed a long recovery from Tommy John surgery.

In the 1998 offseason Johnston signed with Sioux Falls as they were the only team sporting a multi-year deal for Johnston. Johnston came through by starting 36 games, with a 4.31 ERA and striking out 161 guys over the season. Had he played on a better team his record may have shown better than 11-18.