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Astros’ Tatsuya Imai, 2 relievers combine to no-hit Rangers
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- Astros’ Tatsuya Imai, 2 relievers combine to no-hit Rangers
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The Houston Astros have thrown a combined no-hitter against the Texas Rangers ! They won the game 9-0, taking the series opener to move their winning streak to four games . Tatsuya Imai started the no-hitter for the Astros, with Steven Okert and Alimber Santa finishing it off.
There were no no-hitters in MLB last year, so this is the first since September of 2024. That is when Shota Imanaga started a combined no-hitter for the Chicago Cubs against the Pittsburgh Pirates . Ronel Blanco was the last Astros pitcher to throw a no-hitter , shutting down the Toronto Blue Jays in April of 2024.
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Imai was great to start, but he walked four batters in six innings, driving up his pitch count. With 97 pitches already thrown and considering his poor performances since joining the Astros, Joe Espada went to the bullpen. Okert allowed another walk, but did shut down the Rangers outside of that. Santa, in his MLB debut, hurled the final two innings, sitting down the Rangers in order.
The Astros' offense came to play in this game, scoring plenty of runs for the bullpen to work with. Christian Walker and Yordan Alvarez both hit home runs, continuing their great seasons. Infielder Nick Allen came through with two RBI in the seventh inning.
Imai signed a high-profile contract with the Astros this offseason after a great career in Japan. But his first five starts in the majors had not gone well. He spent time on the injured list and nursed an 8.31 ERA coming into Monday's game. But against a struggling Rangers offense, he was able to avoid bats all night long. With some help from his bullpen, he now enters the record books.
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This is the first time the Rangers have been no-hit since 2021, when Corey Kluber went the distance with the New York Yankees . The Astros and Rangers continue their series on Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. Central time.
Related: Astros' Jose Altuve injury update puts him on path to return soon
Related: Astros' Yordan Alvarez won't play Sunday vs. Cubs, but it's not because of injury scare
