Dylan Cease made history by pitching the second no-hitter in San Diego Padres history, securing a 3-0 victory over the Washington Nationals on Thursday and completing a three-game sweep.
Near Miss and Ultimate Triumph
Dylan Cease, who narrowly missed a no-hitter two years ago, redeemed himself spectacularly. Previously, he was just one out short when current teammate Luis Arráez singled. This time, Cease retired Ildemaro Vargas and Jacob Young on groundouts and then got CJ Abrams to fly out to right on a 1-0 slider to seal the no-hitter.
Stellar Performance on the Mound
Cease (10-8) was in top form, striking out nine and walking three. The 28-year-old right-hander pitched his third complete game in 145 major league starts, throwing a career-high 114 pitches despite a 1-hour, 16-minute rain delay in the first inning. This performance adds to his previous near no-hitter for the Chicago White Sox on September 3, 2022, when Arráez broke it with a single.
Key Defensive Plays
The Nationals’ closest attempt at a hit came in the fifth inning when Juan Yepez’s fly to shallow center popped out of second baseman Xander Bogaerts’ glove, but center fielder Jackson Merrill made a timely catch. Bogaerts also made a critical play in the eighth, recovering from a bobble to throw out Keibert Ruiz at first base.
Dylan Cease Arsenal
Dylan Cease pitching repertoire was on full display, using 60 sliders and 39 fastballs averaging 98.3 mph, along with 10 knuckle-curves. His elevated fastball speed was a significant factor in his dominance.
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Limited Baserunners
Dylan Cease allowed only three baserunners: Lane Thomas walked in the first and was caught stealing, walked again in the fourth but was erased by a double play, and Abrams walked in the seventh but was left stranded.
Historical Context
This marks the second consecutive season Washington has been no-hit, following Philadelphia’s Michael Lorenzen’s no-hitter last August. For the Padres, this victory extends their winning streak to five games and marks their third series sweep of the season and the first on the road. San Diego’s dominance over Washington, going undefeated in their six encounters this season, is a historic first since both teams joined the National League in 1969.
Early Offense Seals the Game
San Diego’s offense was pivotal early on, loading the bases in the first inning with a single and two walks against Patrick Corbin (2-10). Following the rain delay, Ha-Seong Kim’s full-count single to left-center brought in all three runners, setting the stage for Cease’s no-hitter.
Conclusion: A Game for the Ages
Dylan Cease’s no-hitter is a significant milestone in Padres’ history and a testament to his skill and determination. As San Diego continues its strong season, fans will remember this game as a highlight of Cease’s career and a shining moment for the franchise.
