Dylan Cease made history for the San Diego Padres with his no-hitter against the Washington Nationals. This impressive feat was the second no-hitter in Padres history, with the first one pitched by Joe Musgrove against Texas on April 9, 2021. Cease’s no-hitter was nearly achieved two years ago, but he fell one out short due to a single by his current teammate, Luis Arráez.
Cease’s no-hitter was a result of his dominant pitching performance, striking out nine batters and walking three. Despite a rain delay in the first inning, Cease remained focused by throwing a career-high 114 pitches. His pitch selection, which included 60 sliders, 39 fastballs, and 10 knuckle-curves, kept the Nationals off balance throughout the game.
The defining moment of Cease’s no-hitter came in the ninth inning when he retired Ildemaro Vargas and Jacob Young with groundouts before getting CJ Abrams to fly out to secure the historic win. Cease’s resilience and determination were evident throughout the game, as he lobbied his manager to keep him in despite a high pitch count.
The Padres’ victory extended their winning streak to five games and marked their third series sweep of the season. On the other hand, the Nationals were swept for the sixth time this season, finishing 0-6 against the Padres. The game ended with a decisive 3-0 win for the Padres, as Ha-Seong Kim delivered a key hit that drove in all three runs during a bases-loaded situation.
This no-hitter will undoubtedly be remembered as a significant achievement in Dylan Cease’s career, solidifying his place in Padres history and showcasing his exceptional pitching skills to baseball fans worldwide.
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