Blake Snell had never completed eight innings before Friday night; of course, his first complete game came in style.
The reigning National League Cy Young Award winner pitched a no-hitter against the Cincinnati Reds on Friday.
Snell struck out 11 and walked three in his historic outing: Elly De La Cruz grounded into right field to preserve the no-no.
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Blake Snell #7 of the San Francisco Giants pitches during the third inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on August 2, 2024 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Jason Mowry/Getty Images)
Snell has had quite the changeup of late, which is surprising for a reigning Cy Young Award winner. However, the lefty was pitching to a 9.51 ERA in his first five starts.
But over his last five games, he has recorded just two earned runs (both in a start against the Los Angeles Dodgers) in 33 innings, good for a 0.45 ERA.
Snell was signed late in the offseason, causing his start to the season to be delayed: after just two starts, he landed on the injured list. But it seems he's back to his old habits.
Before Friday, Snell's career-high was 7.2 innings pitched; in fact, he had recorded at least one out in the seventh inning only four times.
San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Blake Snell (7) pitches against the Cincinnati Reds in the first inning at Great American Ball Park. (Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports)
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It's the third no-hitter in the majors this season, following Ronel Blanco's in April and Dylan Cease's last week. It's also the 18th in Giants history.
It took Snell 114 pitches to accomplish the feat, tying the second-most of his career (117 is his most).
Snell's contract with the San Francisco Giants is only two years for $62 million, but he can opt out after this season. If he keeps pitching like this, he might want to do that.
The deal is fairly low for a two-time Cy Young Award winner (he pitched to an MLB-low 2.25 ERA last year), but his inability to go deep in games, along with somewhat sporadic results outside of his 2018 and 2013 seasons, and his age all played a role.
San Francisco Giants pitcher Blake Snell pitches during the second inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
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But Snell is MLB's all-time leader in K/9 at 11.1 strikeouts per nine innings, and he's trying to prove those two Cy Young Awards aren't a fluke.
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