Astros' Tatsuya Imai, 2 relievers combine for no-hitter vs. Rangers

ARLINGTON, Texas --Houston Astros right-hander Tatsuya Imai and relievers Steven Okert and Alimber Santa combined to throw a no-hitter in a 9-0 win over the Texas Rangers on Monday night.

It was the first no-hitter in the major leagues since Shota Imanaga and two Chicago Cubs relievers combined for a 12-0 win overPittsburghon Sept. 4, 2024. No pitcher has tossed a complete-game no-hitter since Blake Snell for the San Francisco Giants againstCincinnation Aug. 2, 2024.

The 630 days between no-hitters was the longest drought across MLB since 2004-06 (841 days).

Santa, 23, fired two perfect innings and became the first pitcher to finish a no-hitter in his big league debut.

"I knew a no hitter was going on, but I was focusing on throwing strikes and competing," Santa said. "I wasn't thinking about the no hitter."

Imai went six innings in the 17th regular-season no-hitter in Astros history and fourth that was a combined effort. Houston also threw a no-hitter in the 2022 World Series when four pitchers combined againstPhiladelphia. That one was also caught by Christian Vázquez.

"Good slider. He was commanding everything," Vázquez said of what he saw from Santa in his debut. "It was amazing to watch and happy for him."

Ronel Blanco tossed the previous no-hitter for the Astros in a 10-0 victory overTorontoon April 1, 2024. In fact, Houston has authored three of the past seven major league no-hitters; Framber Valdez shut downCleveland2-0 on Aug. 1, 2023.

Okert worked the seventh after Imai retired the final 16 batters he faced. He walked three of his first four batters but benefited from a double play in the first inning before settling into a groove.

Santa made his big league debut in the eighth and retired all six batters he faced. His 24th pitch was a called third strike against Brandon Nimmo that ended it after an ABS challenge by the batter was confirmed a strike.

The Rangers were held without a hit for the sixth time. There have been two other no-hitters at Globe Life Field -- both in 2021 and both by visiting teams: Corey Kluber for the New York Yankees on May 19, 2021, and Joe Musgrove for the San Diego Padres on April 9, 2021.

Imai's fourth walk of the night was to Nimmo leading off the fourth inning, but Ezequiel Duran then grounded into a double play.

Imai threw 57 of his 97 pitches for strikes. He struck out two.

Imai, 28, is in his first big league season after coming over from Japan. He was 1-2 with an 8.31 ERA in his first five starts for the Astros.

Imai joined the Astros in January after agreeing to a three-year, $54 million contract. He was a three-time All-Star during his eight seasons in Japan, and went 10-5 with a 1.92 ERA last season for the Pacific League's Seibu Lions, striking out 178 in 163 innings.

Rangers leadoff hitter Joc Pederson was retired on a nifty play in the third when shortstop Jeremy Peñamade a backhand stop and a twisting throw to first for the out. Justin Foscue and Danny Jansen had deep flyouts in the Texas fifth.

Okert walked Nimmo leading off the seventh before retiring the next three batters.

ESPN Research and The Associated Press contributed to this report.br/]