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The Houston Astros capped their fourth straight victory with a hitless shutout on Monday. Tatsuya Imai started and pitched six innings before relievers Steven Okert and Alimber Santa took over to hold 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 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates in September 2024.
The last complete no-hitter came in August 2024, when Blake Snell held the Cincinnati Reds hitless.
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Houston Astros starter Tatsuya Imai pitches against the Texas Rangers during the first inning of a baseball game Monday, May 25, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Imai went six innings in the 17th regular-season no-hitter in Astros history and the fourth that was 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 got 16 outs of 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 finding his rhythm.
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Santa made his major 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 upheld as a strike.
Houston Astros pitcher Alimber Santa is doused with water after pitching in his major league debut and closing out a combined no-hitter against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, on May 25, 2026. (Julio Cortés/AP)
The Rangers were held hitless for the sixth time, the first since Corey Kluber pitched a no-hitter for the New York Yankees in May 2021.
A general view of Globe Life Field during the game between the Houston Astros and the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field on Monday, May 25, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Sam Hodde/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
Imai is in his first season in the Major Leagues after arriving from Japan.
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The 28-year-old right-hander 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.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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