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The Houston Astros capped their fourth straight victory with a no-hit shutout on Monday. Tatsuya Imai started and pitched six innings before relievers Steven Okert and Alimber Santa took over to keep the Texas Rangers hitless.
The 9-0 victory marked MLB’s first no-hitter since Shota Imanaga and two Chicago Cubs relievers combined for a 12-0 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates in September 2024.
The last complete game without a hit occurred in August 2024, when Blake Snell held the Cincinnati Reds without a hit.
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Houston Astros starting pitcher Tatsuya Imai throws a pitch to the Texas Rangers during the first inning of a baseball game in Arlington, Texas, May 25, 2026. (Julio Cortés/AP)
Imai went six innings in the 17th hitless regular season in Astros history and the fourth in a combined effort. Houston also threw a no-hitter in the 2022 World Series when four pitchers combined against Philadelphia.
Okert worked the seventh after Imai had 16 outs in the last 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 rhythm.
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 from the batter was confirmed as a strike.
Houston Astros pitcher Alimber Santa is doused with water after pitching his major league debut and closing out a no-hitter against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, May 25, 2026. (Julio Cortés/AP)
The Rangers were held in check for the sixth time, the first since Corey Kluber threw a no-hitter against them for the New York Yankees on May 19, 2021.
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Imai, 28, is in his first season in a major championship 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 during eight seasons in Japan and went 10-5 with a 1.92 ERA last season for the Seibu Lions of the Pacific League.
