Blake Snell was just an out away from achieving the first no-hitter of his distinguished career, needing to get the power-hitting Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz out one final time.
De La Cruz attacked Snell’s initial pitch, a 97.8 mph fastball right down the middle, sending it sharply to the gap in right-center field. Giants right fielder Mike Yastrzemski, brought in for defensive strength in the eighth inning, sprinted to intercept it, leaping to make an impressive catch that secured Snell’s masterpiece and a 3-0 victory.
The 31-year-old southpaw, who is the defending Cy Young Award winner, was celebrated by his teammates. This marked the third no-hitter recorded in the majors this season.
“You’re so hyped up during that last inning, and being able to make that throw while trying to put everything you have into it was incredible,” Snell commented.
“I’m still a bit in disbelief,” he added. “I need to go home and let it all sink in. I haven’t fully processed the game yet.”
Snell (1-3) recorded 10 strikeouts and threw a total of 114 pitches, with 78 being strikes. He noted that he entered the ninth inning aiming for strikes because he was concerned that Giants manager Bob Melvin might pull him at 120 pitches. He was eager for the complete game, something he hadn’t accomplished in 202 major league starts.
“I knew I had to keep it in the strike zone,” he explained. It took him 10 pitches to strike out Santiago Espinal and induce a comebacker from Jonathan India before De La Cruz swung at the 11th pitch.
In fact, Melvin said he planned to take Snell out if he had given up a hit in the ninth. He was monitoring Snell closely after the pitcher began to develop a blister around the seventh inning.
“That’s the most nervous I’ve been in a long time,” Melvin admitted. “I wanted this for him so badly. If anyone has the capability to pitch a no-hitter, it’s Blake Snell.”
Snell was particularly dominant against Cincinnati’s top hitters, striking out India three times, along with De La Cruz and Spencer Steer twice each.
He achieved the 18th no-hitter in Giants’ franchise history. Houston’s Ronal Blanco no-hit Toronto on April 1, and San Diego’s Dylan Cease threw a no-hitter against Washington on July 25.
“I don’t think it will be his only one,” said Reds pitcher Nick Martinez, who played alongside Snell in San Diego last season. “He commanded the ball exceptionally well. It felt like he didn’t miss a spot all night. He possesses some electric stuff.”
Casey Schmitt and Tyler Fitzgerald both hit home runs for the Giants during the game.
Snell had previously thrown six perfect innings against Minnesota on July 14, before Manuel Margot of the Twins singled to lead off the seventh inning. In his last game on July 27, he struck out 15 while allowing only two hits over six innings.
He captured the Cy Young Award while with San Diego last season, having previously won it in 2018 as a Tampa Bay Ray. Snell became the seventh player in major league history to win the award in both leagues after signing a two-year, $62 million deal with the Giants before the season started.
Snell now joins the ranks of the fifth reigning Cy Young Award winner to achieve a no-hitter, along with Jake Arrieta (2016), Clayton Kershaw (2014), Bob Gibson (1971), and Sandy Koufax (1964), according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
The last no-hitter for the Giants was by Chris Heston on June 19, 2015, when San Francisco defeated the New York Mets 5-0.
The Reds were last no-hit on May 17, 2019, by Mike Fiers of the Oakland A’s in a 2-0 loss.
Reds starter Andrew Abbott pitched only 4 1/3 innings, allowing two runs and seven hits while striking out eight batters.
