Dylan Cease, a pitcher for the San Diego Padres, achieved a remarkable feat by throwing a no-hitter against the Washington Nationals on Thursday. This marks the second no-hitter of the MLB season. Cease delivered 114 pitches during the game and only allowed three baserunners, all of whom reached base via walks. Despite this, the 28-year-old right-hander managed to face just one batter over the minimum requirement.
The closest the Nationals came to getting a hit was in the fifth inning when Juan Yepez hit a fly ball to shallow center field. Second baseman Xander Bogaerts attempted to catch the ball but dropped it, only for center fielder Jackson Merrill to make the crucial catch before it hit the ground.
Cease’s impressive performance is even more remarkable considering he had only thrown two complete games in his previous 144 big league starts, both of which were shutouts during his time with the Chicago White Sox. His season high pitch count prior to this game was 113 pitches over seven scoreless innings against his former team, the White Sox, on May 8.
The San Diego Padres secured a 3-0 victory over the Nationals, with Ha-Seong Kim contributing a three-run single in the first inning to seal the win. The only other no-hitter in the MLB this season was thrown by Houston’s Ronel Blanco against Toronto on April 1. Joe Musgrove is the only other Padres pitcher to have thrown a no-hitter, accomplishing the feat on April 9, 2021.
It is clear that Cease’s exceptional performance has solidified his place as a key player for the Padres this season. His ability to shut down the Nationals’ offense and pitch a no-hitter is a testament to his skill and dedication to the game. As the MLB season progresses, fans can look forward to more exciting moments and outstanding performances from players like Cease who continue to push the boundaries of what is possible on the baseball field.