The Houston Astros extended their winning streak to four with an impressive no-hit shutout against the Texas Rangers on Monday. Tatsuya Imai initiated the game, pitching six innings before turning over to relievers Steven Okert and Alimber Santa, both of whom maintained the Rangers’ hitless status.

This 9-0 win marked the first Major League Baseball no-hitter since Shota Imanaga and two Chicago Cubs relievers achieved a similar feat with a 12-0 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates in September 2024. The most recent complete-game no-hitter was pitched by Blake Snell against the Cincinnati Reds in August 2024.

Tatsuya Imai, debuting in his first MLB season, played a crucial role in this milestone game in Arlington, Texas, delivering six strong innings of the team’s 17th regular-season no-hitter, the fourth of which involved multiple pitchers. Notably, the Astros previously secured a no-hitter during the 2022 World Series as well.

After Imai retired the last 16 batters he faced and issued three walks early in the game, Okert took charge in the seventh inning. Alimber Santa, making his major league debut, showcased a flawless performance in the eighth and ninth innings. He retired six batters consecutively, and the game concluded with his 24th pitch, a called third strike against Brandon Nimmo, validated by an ABS challenge.

The Texas Rangers experienced their sixth no-hitter, with the most recent occurring on May 19, 2021, when Corey Kluber delivered for the New York Yankees.

Imai joined the Astros in January, signing a $54 million, three-year contract after a successful career in Japan’s Pacific League with the Seibu Lions. There he was a three-time All-Star with a 1.92 ERA last season.