Houston Throws Combined No-Hitter to Beat the Rangers

ARLINGTON, TX — The Houston Astros combined for a no-hitter Monday night, defeating the Texas Rangers 9-0 at Globe Life Field.

Tatsuya Imai threw six hitless innings, recovering after walking three of the first four batters he faced. Steven Okert recorded the next three outs, and Alimber Santa completed the effort in his major league debut, retiring all six batters he faced to secure the Astros’ 17th regular-season no-hitter and fourth combined no-hitter in franchise history.

Santa, 23, became the first pitcher since 1900 to participate in a no-hitter during his major league debut. He struck out one batter and needed 24 pitches to close out the game.

The no-hitter was the first in Major League Baseball since September 4, 2024, when Shota Imanaga and two Chicago Cubs relievers combined to no-hit Pittsburgh. It also ended a 630-day drought, the longest in the majors since a stretch from 2004 to 2006.

Imai, in his first MLB season after signing with Houston in January, allowed four walks and struck out two while throwing 97 pitches, 57 for strikes. After a shaky first inning, he retired 16 consecutive batters.

The Rangers were held without a hit for the sixth time in franchise history. It marked the third no-hitter thrown at Globe Life Field, all by visiting teams.

Houston’s previous no-hitter came on April 1, 2024, when Ronel Blanco no-hit Toronto in a 10-0 win. The Astros have now been involved in five of the last 11 no-hitters in the majors, including a combined no-hitter in the 2022 World Series.

The Astros seemed to have figured something out recently, as Houston has won five of their last six games, including a 3-game sweep over the Chicago Cubs. Next up, the Astros continue a 4-game road trip at Globe Life Field in Arlington against the Rangers.