The Houston Astros secured a no-hit shutout victory against the Texas Rangers on Monday, marking their fourth consecutive win. Tatsuya Imai initiated the game, pitching for six innings, while Steven Okert and Alimber Santa took over as relievers to maintain the hitless streak.
This 9-0 triumph is significant for MLB as it becomes the first no-hitter since Shota Imanaga and two Chicago Cubs relievers achieved a 12-0 victory against the Pittsburgh Pirates in September 2024. The last complete-game no-hitter happened in August 2024, accomplished by Blake Snell against the Cincinnati Reds.
Imai’s start on May 25, 2026, in Arlington, Texas, marks the 17th regular-season no-hitter for the Astros, and the fourth as a combined effort. The team previously achieved a no-hitter in the 2022 World Series with a four-pitcher combination against Philadelphia.
Imai got 16 outs in a row during his six innings before Okert took over in the seventh. Despite walking three of his first four batters, Okert found his rhythm after a double play in the first inning. Santa made his major league debut in the eighth inning, retiring all six batters he faced. He sealed the win with a called third strike against Brandon Nimmo.
This game marks the sixth occasion where the Rangers were kept without a hit. The last instance was by Corey Kluber for the New York Yankees on May 19, 2021.
At 28, Imai is in his debut MLB season, having joined the Astros on a $54 million, three-year contract from Japan. With a record of three All-Star titles during eight seasons in Japan, he had a 10-5 record and a 1.92 ERA with the Seibu Lions last season.
The information is courtesy of Fox News Digital, with contributions from the Associated Press. Chantz Martin covers sports for Fox News Digital.