Astros Secure Combined No-Hitter Over Rangers, First Since Sep 2024

On Monday night in Arlington, Texas, the Houston Astros beat the Texas Rangers 9–0 with a combined no-hit effort. Right-hander Tatsuya Imai pitched six innings, Steven Okert covered the seventh, and rookie Alimber Santa closed the eighth and ninth, retiring all six batters. Santa’s 24th pitch—a called third strike to Brandon Nimmo after an ABS challenge—sealed the no-hitter.

Associated Press

The Astros’ no-hitter was the first in the majors since Shota Imanaga and two Chicago Cubs relievers combined for a 12–0 win on September 4, 2024, and followed Blake Snell’s complete-game no-hitter for the San Francisco Giants on August 2, 2024. Within the Astros franchise, Ronel Blanco delivered a solo no-hitter on April 1, 2024, and Framber Valdez shut out Cleveland on August 1, 2023. Houston has authored three of the last seven major-league no-hitters.

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Tatsuya Imai, a 28-year-old right-hander, began his first MLB season after signing a three-year, $54 million contract in January. In his first five starts he was 1-2 with an 8.31 ERA. In Japan he spent eight seasons with the Seibu Lions, posting a 10-5 record, 1.92 ERA and 178 strikeouts in 163 2/3 innings. He earned three All-Star selections during his Japanese career. Veteran reliever Steven Okert covered the seventh inning after walking three of his first four batters. Rookie Alimber Santa, 23, became the first pitcher to finish a no-hit game in his MLB debut, delivering two perfect innings.

Associated Press

Imai threw 57 strikes of 97 pitches, recorded two strikeouts and issued four walks, including a leadoff walk to Brandon Nimmo that was followed by a double play. Okert walked three of his first four batters, benefited from a first-inning double play, and walked Nimmo again in the seventh before retiring the next three hitters. Santa retired all six batters he faced. Defensively, Rangers leadoff hitter Joc Pederson was retired on a nifty play in the third when shortstop Jeremy Peña made a backhand stop and a twisting throw to first, and Justin Foscue and Danny Jansen hit deep flyouts in the fifth.

Associated Press

The combined effort marked the Astros’ 17th regular-season no-hitter and the fourth achieved by multiple pitchers. The franchise previously recorded a four-pitcher combined no-hitter in the 2022 World Series.

Associated Press

The combined no-hitter adds to the Astros’ recent run of no-hit games, three of the last seven league-wide. Santa’s debut shows the impact a rookie can have in high-leverage roles. Imai’s move from a successful Japanese career to an MLB starter reflects the growing presence of international talent. For the Rangers, the loss was their sixth no-hit game, the first since Corey Kluber’s no-hitter for the Yankees on May 19, 2021, underscoring the rarity for the franchise.

Associated Press