Houston Astros pitcher Alimber Santa made history Monday night, becoming the first pitcher since 1900 to participate in a no-hitter during his Major League debut.
Santa, 23, was called in to close out a combined no-hitter against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field. He fired two perfect innings, striking out Brandon Nimmo for his first career strikeout. Starter Tatsuya Imai threw six no-hit innings, and Steven Okert added a seventh before Santa took the mound.
"Yeah, there was some adrenaline," Santa said through a translator. "I was aware of the no-hitter, but I was just trying to calm myself down from the bullpen."
Manager Joe Espada praised the rookie: "Proud of Santa. I think it’s a big night for him and his family."
The no-hitter was the Astros' 17th regular-season no-hitter and 18th overall, including their combined no-hitter against the Philadelphia Phillies in the 2022 World Series.
Houston (24-31) faces Texas (24-29) in the second game of a four-game series Tuesday.