Astros Tatsuya Imai, 2 relievers combine to no-hit Rangers

Published: Tuesday, May 26, 2026 at 1:48 am

Astros Pitchers Combine for No-Hitter Against Rangers

In a stunning display of pitching prowess, the Houston Astros have secured a combined no-hitter against the Texas Rangers, winning the game 9-0. This victory marks the series opener and extends the Astros' winning streak to four games.

The historic feat was achieved by a trio of Astros pitchers. Tatsuya Imai took the mound as the starting pitcher, delivering six innings of work. While he issued four walks, he managed to keep the Rangers' bats silent. Due to a high pitch count and recent struggles, Manager Joe Espada turned to the bullpen.

Steven Okert followed Imai, pitching a scoreless inning, allowing one walk. Alimber Santa, making his Major League Baseball debut, closed out the game with two perfect innings, retiring the Rangers in order.

The Astros' offense provided ample support, scoring nine runs. Christian Walker and Yordan Alvarez each contributed home runs, while Nick Allen drove in two runs in the seventh inning.

This no-hitter is the first in Major League Baseball since September 2024, when Shota Imanaga pitched a combined no-hitter for the Chicago Cubs. The last time an Astros pitcher achieved a no-hitter was in April 2024, when Ronel Blanco shut down the Toronto Blue Jays. The Rangers last experienced a no-hitter in 2021, when Corey Kluber of the New York Yankees accomplished the feat.

Imai, who signed a significant contract with the Astros this offseason, had struggled in his first five starts, carrying an 8.31 ERA into the game. However, against the Rangers, he found his form, contributing to this historic achievement.

The Astros and Rangers will continue their series on Tuesday.

BNN's Perspective:

This no-hitter is a testament to the unpredictable nature of baseball. While Imai's struggles earlier in the season raised concerns, his performance, combined with the strong work of the bullpen, demonstrates the depth and resilience of the Astros' pitching staff. It's a reminder that even in a sport dominated by statistics, individual performances and team chemistry can lead to remarkable outcomes.

Tags: Astros, Rangers, no-hitter, Tatsuya Imai, Steven Okert, Alimber Santa, MLB, baseball, pitching, offense, Christian Walker, Yordan Alvarez, Nick Allen, Joe Espada, winning streak

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