SouthernWorldwide.com – The Houston Astros concluded their fourth consecutive victory with an impressive no-hit shutout performance on Monday.
Tatsuya Imai took the mound to start the game, pitching six scoreless innings. He was then succeeded by relievers Steven Okert and Alimber Santa, who continued the no-hit effort, ensuring the Texas Rangers remained hitless throughout the contest.
This 9-0 triumph marked the first no-hitter in Major League Baseball (MLB) since September 2024. At that time, Shota Imanaga, along with two Chicago Cubs relievers, achieved a combined no-hitter in a 12-0 victory against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The last instance of a complete-game no-hitter occurred in August 2024, when Blake Snell successfully held the Cincinnati Reds hitless over the entire game.
Imai’s six innings contributed significantly to the Astros’ no-hitter, which stands as the 17th regular-season no-hitter in the franchise’s history. It also marks the fourth combined no-hitter for the Astros.
The team also achieved a no-hitter during the 2022 World Series, where four pitchers collaborated to keep the Philadelphia Phillies hitless.
Steven Okert took over in the seventh inning. Imai had impressively retired 16 consecutive batters he faced before his exit.
Okert, however, had a shaky start, walking three of the first four batters he encountered. Fortunately, his defense provided support, including a crucial double play in the first inning, which helped him settle into a rhythm.
Alimber Santa made his major league debut in the eighth inning and demonstrated remarkable composure, retiring all six batters he faced. His debut concluded emphatically when his 24th pitch resulted in a called third strike against Brandon Nimmo, sealing the no-hitter after an ABS challenge by the batter was confirmed a strike.
This marked the sixth time the Texas Rangers have been held without a hit. Their previous no-hit experience was on May 19, 2021, when Corey Kluber threw a no-hitter against them while pitching for the New York Yankees.
The 28-year-old Tatsuya Imai is currently in his inaugural major league season. He joined the Astros after a successful career in Japan.
Imai signed with the Astros in January, agreeing to a three-year contract worth $54 million. Prior to his move to MLB, he was a three-time All-Star during his eight seasons playing in Japan.
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Last season, pitching for the Seibu Lions in Japan’s Pacific League, Imai posted an impressive record of 10 wins and 5 losses, with a stellar earned run average (ERA) of 1.92.
