Many Runs, Few Hits

Scoring three runs in a game while having only one hit?

Since 1914, 16 teams have done that - including two this season.

On May 21, Oakland beat Tampa Bay 3-2. The A's loaded the bases in the second on a throwing error and two walks. Two of those runners scored on another throwing error. Brandon Moss homered in the fourth.

Athletics - 020 100 000 - 3  1  0
Rays      - 000 002 000 - 2  9  2

On June 4, San Diego beat Pittsburgh 3-2. In the first, walk, stolen base, bunt single, and sacrifice fly scored one run, and a second run scored after a HBP and throwing error in the infield. The Padres drew four walks in the fourth.

Pirates - 000 110 000 - 2  7  1
Padres  - 200 100 00x - 3  1  0

Since 1914, the 1-hit/3-run teams have won 10 of the 16 games.

The major league record for most runs while getting only one hit is four. It has happened twice.

April 30, 1914: White Sox lost to Detroit 5-4. The Tigers did not make any errors, but they issued nine walks. The only hit was Ray Demmitt's double, which did not drive in a run. Play-by-play data is not available.

White Sox - 100 000 003 - 4  1  3
Tigers    - 000 200 03x - 5  8  0

July 20, 2013: Mariners beat Astros 4-2.
6th inning: three walks, two passed balls, and a sac fly.
7th inning: two walks and Michael Saunders's two-run double

Mariners - 000 002 200 - 4  1  0
Astros   - 000 020 000 - 2  7  0

Then I wondered what the record was for most runs on only two hits.

Scoring four runs on two hits has happened 34 times since 1914.

Scoring five runs on two hits has happened 8 times since 1914, but only once since 1976.

On September 21, 1996, the Orioles scored six runs on two hits against the Blue Jays, winning 6-3.
A single and two walks loaded the bases. Then came two bases-loaded walks and Eddie Murray's grand slam.

Blue Jays - 000 020 001 - 3  7  0
Orioles   - 000 006 00x - 6  2  2

On June 20, 1914, the Giants got two hits and beat the Reds 7-2. No play-by-play data for this one, but Cincinnati committed seven errors. All five runs in the first inning were unearned.

Reds   - 000 100 001 - 2  9  7
Giants - 500 020 00x - 7  2  0

On April 12, 1994, the A's beat the Blue Jays 8-4 on only two hits. The A's walked 12 times. (Toronto's Woody Williams and Scott Brow pitched in this game as well as the September 21, 1996 loss to Baltimore!)

Blue Jays - 101 020 000 - 4  9  4
Athletics - 302 030 00x - 8  2  0

No team has scored more than eight runs in a game on only two hits.

Fewest hits, scoring nine runs: four (four times).
Fewest hits, scoring 10 runs: four (two times).
Fewest hits, scoring 11 runs: four (once; May 17, 1925, Browns 11, Red Sox 6).

Most runs scored on only three hits: seven (four times).

[Baseball Reference's Play Index is awesome for stuff like this.]