Astros combine for historic no-hitter in 9-0 Rangers rout

Houston Astros right-hander Tatsuya Imai, alongside relievers Steven Okert and Alimber Santa, combined to throw a no-hitter in a 9-0 victory over the Texas Rangers on Monday night. The performance marked the first no-hitter in Major League Baseball since 4 September 2024, ending a 630-day drought that represented the longest such gap since the 2004-06 period.

Imai, 28, pitched six innings in his first season with the Astros after signing a three-year, $54 million contract from Japan’s Seibu Lions. He struck out two batters and threw 57 of his 97 pitches for strikes, retiring the final 16 batters he faced. His outing included a walk to Brandon Nimmo in the fourth inning, which was resolved when Ezequiel Duran grounded into a double play.

Reliever Steven Okert worked the seventh inning, walking three of his first four batters before benefiting from a double play to escape the jam. Alimber Santa made his Major League debut in the eighth inning, retiring all six batters he faced. The no-hitter was officially confirmed when Santa recorded a called third strike against Nimmo, following an Automatic Ball-Strike challenge by the batter that was upheld.

The feat stands as the 17th no-hitter in Astros history and the fourth combined effort. Houston also threw a no-hitter in the 2022 World Series when four pitchers combined against Philadelphia. For the Rangers, it was the sixth time this season they have been held without a hit, with centre fielder Jake Meyers making two running catches in the fifth to preserve the bid.

There have been two other no-hitters at Globe Life Field, both in 2021 and both by visiting teams: Corey Kluber for the New York Yankees and Joe Musgrove for the San Diego Padres. The Rangers' offense reached what reports described as rock bottom, failing to record a single hit against the Astros’ battery and defence throughout the game.