Houston Astros throw combined no-hitter in 9-0 blowout over Texas Rangers
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The Houston Astros completed their fourth straight win with a no-hit shutout on Monday. Tatsuya Imai started and pitched six innings before relievers Steven Okert and Alimber Santa took over to hold the Texas Rangers hitless.
The 9-0 win marked MLB’s first no-hitter since Shota Imanaga and two Chicago Cubs relievers combined to beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 12-0 in September 2024.
The last complete game no-hitter came in August 2024 when Blake Snell held the Cincinnati Reds hitless.
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Houston Astros starting pitcher Tatsuya Imai throws against the Texas Rangers in the first inning of a baseball game on May 25, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Julio Cortez/AP)
Imai pitched six innings in the 17th regular-season no-hitter in Astros history, the fourth in a combined effort. Houston also threw a no-hitter in the 2022 World Series against Philadelphia when four pitchers combined.
Okert ranked seventh after Imai had 16 hits in the last 16 shots he faced. He walked three of his first four batters but capitalized on a double play in the first inning before settling into a groove.
Santa Claus made his major league debut in the eighth and retired all six batters he faced. His 24th pitch was called a strike three against Brandon Nimmo, ending the game after the batter’s ABS tackle was confirmed to be a strikeout.
Houston Astros pitcher Alimber Santa is submerged after pitching and pitching a no-hitter in his major league debut against the Texas Rangers on May 25, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Julio Cortez/AP)
The Rangers were held scoreless for the sixth time, the first since Corey Kluber pitched a no-hitter against them for the New York Yankees on May 19, 2021.
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Imai, 28, is in his first major league season after arriving from Japan.
Imai joined the Astros in January after agreeing to a three-year, $54 million contract. He was a three-time All-Star over eight seasons in Japan and went 10-5 with a 1.92 ERA last season for the Seibu Lions of the Pacific League.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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