One day after recording the 18th no-hitter in franchise history, the Houston Astros will look to carry the momentum into Tuesday night’s game against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas.
Houston won the series opener 9-0 on Monday on a gem behind Tatsuya Imai, Steven Okert and Alimber Santa. The trio combined for the majors’ first no-hitter since three Chicago Cubs pitchers blanked the Pittsburgh Pirates 12-0 on Sept. 4, 2024.
Imai walked four batters and struck out two over a career-high six innings to help Houston win its fourth straight game.
“He just continued to throw the ball in the zone,” manager Joe Espada said. “It wasn’t pretty, but it was effective, and we have a really good defense. (Catcher) Christian Vazquez continues to press the right buttons and lead our (pitching) staff.”
Christian Walker hit a three-run home run and Yordan Alvarez added a solo shot for Houston, which has won seven of its last 10 games. Walker’s homer was his 15th of the season and fourth in the past three games.
The Astros also received a boost from Santa, who pitched two perfect innings in his major league debut to close the team’s first no-hitter since Ronel Blanco blanked the Toronto Blue Jays 10-0 on April 1, 2024.
“(Santa) came in, and that sweeper was sweeping, and that fastball was sinking,” Espada said. “He looked like he’s pitched in the big leagues before. You talk about first impressions, and that was an incredible first impression.”
Texas was no-hit for the first time since falling to the New York Yankees’ Corey Kluber in a 2-0 loss on May 19, 2021. The Rangers have dropped four games in a row to fall a season-high five games under .500.
“The first person you’ve got to look at is me,” Texas manager Skip Schumaker said. “I’ve got to figure out a way to message, as far as the offensive side. You look at yourself in the mirror first, and that starts with me.”
Texas began Monday’s game with three walks in the first inning, but Imai escaped unscathed when Brandon Nimmo grounded into a double play and Evan Carter flied out with runners on the corners.
“I don’t know if I remember an inning that I’ve been a part of where we had three walks and no runs scored,” Schumaker said. “That was definitely frustrating.”
Tuesday’s pitching matchup will feature a pair of right-handers as Houston’s Jason Alexander (1-0, 7.30 ERA) opposes the Rangers’ Jack Leiter (1-4, 4.61).
Alexander made an impressive spot start against the Minnesota Twins last Tuesday, pitching six scoreless innings in a 2-1 victory. He allowed four hits with one walk in his first start since last September.
Alexander will face the Rangers for the second time in his career. He allowed three runs (one earned) over 4 2/3 innings in a start against them on Sept. 15, 2025.
Texas will counter with Leiter, who yielded four runs over five innings in a no-decision against the Colorado Rockies last Wednesday. The Rangers won 5-4.
Isaac Paredes is 2-for-9 with a home run against Leiter, who is 1-2 with a 3.46 ERA in four career starts vs. Houston.
–Field Level Media
