ARLINGTON -- Christian Vázquez is one of only two catchers in Major League history to catch a no-hitter in the World Series, which he did in 2022 for the Astros in Game 4 against the Phillies. The other is Hall of Famer Yogi Berra, who caught Don Larsen’s perfect game for the Yankees in Game 5 of the 1956 World Series.
And now Vázquez is among a handful of catchers who have caught multiple no-hitters -- both of which were combined no-hitters. He was behind the plate for the Astros’ combined no-hitter against the Rangers on Monday, saying it was as stressful for him as the pitchers who were on the mound.
Tatsuya Imai pitched around three walks in the first inning to throw the first six innings of the no-hitter, with lefty Steven Okert throwing the seventh inning and Alimber Santa getting the final six outs in his Major League debut. It was the first no-hitter in the Major Leagues since Sept. 4, 2024, and the 18th in Astros history, including the postseason.
Vázquez joins Martín Maldonado as the only catchers to work two combined no-hitters -- all of which have been for the Astros. Maldonado caught combined no-hitters in 2019 and '22. Houston’s five combined no-hitters are three more than any other team.
“A lot of stress, but a lot of fun,” Vázquez said. “After Imai, it was more stressful because the bullpen is coming. Imai was cruising those six innings, after the first inning. There was a lot of stress, but we did it.”
The Astros acquired Vázquez at the Trade Deadline in ‘22 and he helped them win the World Series. He started Game 4 of the Fall Classic and guided Cristian Javier, Bryan Abreu, Rafael Montero and Ryan Pressly through the third no-hitter in postseason history.
Unlike the three pitchers in Monday’s 9-0 win over the Rangers, Vázquez was involved in all 136 pitches thrown by the Astros in the game.
“Any no-hitter is fun,” he said. “I think combined is better because more people are doing jobs, you know, putting something on the table to make it happen. It was good.”
Vázquez, who rejoined the Astros late in Spring Training this year as a free agent and has taken over as the starter following the injury to Yainer Diaz, said Imai is close to putting it together with consecutive good starts under his belt. Half of his 18 walks this year have come in the first inning, including three Monday.
“If we can control those walks, we’re going to be good,” he said. “There’s a lot of swing and miss and weak contact with only two pitches -- fastballs and sliders. If we can throw a split or change, it's going to get better.”
Santa, who was called up prior to the weekend series sweep of the Cubs but didn’t pitch until Monday, threw 24 pitches -- 13 sweepers, six sliders and five fastballs.
“I remember when he got here and Yordan [Alvarez] and [Isaac] Paredes told me he struck them out in a simulated game the first couple of days of [Spring Training],” Vázquez said. “They were impressed with him on the sweeper, and it was a good one.”
Santa became the second player in Major League history to pitch in a no-hitter in his debut, according to Elias, joining Bumpus Jones of the Reds, who threw one by himself on Oct. 15, 1982. Santa kept the ball from the game’s final strike to Brandon Nimmo.