Astros pitchers combine for historic no-hitter, ending MLB’s 629-day drought

Major League Baseball recorded its first no-hitter in 629 days on Monday night as the Houston Astros blanked the Texas Rangers 9-0 at Globe Life Field. The achievement ends a prolonged drought for the sport, with the last no-hitter thrown by Shota Imanaga and two Chicago Cubs relievers against the Pittsburgh Pirates on 4 September 2024.

The feat was completed through a three-pitcher combination led by Tatsuya Imai, who started the game and pitched six scoreless innings. Despite walking three batters in the first inning, Imai settled down to retire 15 of the final 16 batters he faced, striking out two and issuing four walks in total. He was followed by reliever Steven Okert, who walked the leadoff batter in the seventh inning but retired the next three hitters.

Alimber Santa, making his Major League debut, retired the final six batters he faced to complete the no-hitter. Santa became only the second player in MLB history, alongside Bumpus Jones in 1892, to make their pitching debut in a no-hitter. The final out was a called strike three against Brandon Nimmo, which was challenged via the automated balls and strikes system but ultimately stood.

Houston’s offence provided sufficient support, with Yordan Alvarez contributing a first-inning sacrifice fly and a solo home run. Christian Walker added a three-run homer in the seventh inning to secure the margin. The Rangers, who entered the game with a .235 batting average, managed only one ball in play with a better than 50/50 chance of becoming a hit, which was turned into an out by Jeremy Peña.

The victory extends the Astros’ winning streak to four games, moving their record to 24-31, while the Rangers dropped to 24-29 with four consecutive losses. The no-hitter marks the 18th in Astros franchise history, the most by any team since they joined the league as an expansion team in 1962. It is also the sixth time the Rangers have been no-hit in their history.