Dylan Cease Throws No-Hitter for the Padres

Dylan Cease made history on Thursday by pitching the second no-hitter of the MLB season, leading the San Diego Padres to a 3-0 victory over the Washington Nationals. This game completed a three-game series sweep for the Padres and marked a major achievement in Cease’s career.

Cease, who is 28 years old, threw a total of 114 pitches, allowing just three baserunners, all of whom reached base by walks. Despite those walks, he faced one over the minimum number of batters, showcasing his dominance on the mound.

The closest the Nationals came to getting a hit was during the fifth inning. A fly ball was lofted to shallow center field, which popped out of the second baseman’s glove, only for the center fielder to catch it before it hit the ground. It was a tense moment, but Cease held strong.

Cease’s no-hitter wasn’t without its history. Two years ago, he was just one out away from achieving the feat but gave up a hit to a current teammate. Reflecting on his experience after the game, he said, «I think I had a little flashback right there: Make sure I get the slider a little bit lower.» His determination paid off as he finally completed the challenge.

With his pitch count sitting at 94 after the seventh inning, Cease pushed to stay in the game, convincing manager Mike Shildt that he could handle it. This turned out to be a pivotal decision as he secured the no-hitter by retiring the final batters effectively.

Cease’s impressive performance helped improve his odds for winning the NL Cy Young Award, with his betting odds dropping from 100-1 to 40-1 following the no-hitter. He is now tied for the fifth-shortest odds for the prestigious award, making this game even more significant.

This no-hitter was the first for the Padres since April 9, 2021, and one of only two thrown in Major League Baseball this season, the first being by a Houston pitcher against Toronto on April 1. Cease’s achievement is adding to the excitement surrounding baseball this season.