Blake Snell Delivers His First Professional No-Hitter

Blake Snell was close to pitching his first no-hit game in his career, but had to get Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz out. 

Snell’s first pitch, a 97.8 mph fastball, hit Cruz hard to the right-center field gap. Giants right fielder Mike Yastrzemski made the catch, preserving Snell’s 3-0 win.

“I’m still kind of in shock,”

The league’s reigning Cy Young Award winner, Snell , was mobbed by his teammates. This was the third no-hitter in the majors this year.

He said “You’re so amped up in the last inning there, to be able to make that throw when you are trying to throw it as hard as you can to the plate.”

He also added “I’m still kind of in shock, I need to go home and let it sink in. I haven’t really processed the game.”

Snell (1-3) struck out ten and threw 114 pitches, 78 of which were strikes. He claimed he came into the ninth inning throwing strikes because he feared Giants manager Bob Melvin would pull him after 120 pitches. He wanted to play the entire game, which he had never done in 202 major league starts

He had to strike out Santiago Espinal and get Jonathan India on a comebacker before De La Cruz swung at the 11th.

Manager Melvin was keeping a careful eye on starter Snell because of a blister that started to form around the seventh inning. If Snell gave up a hit in the ninth, Melvin was prepared to withdraw him.

“That’s as nervous as I had been in a long time,I wanted that for him so bad. If anybody has the stuff to throw a no-hitter, it’s Blake Snell.” Melvin said.

Snell recorded the 18th no-hitter in Giants’ franchise history.

Snell was particularly effective against Cincinnati’s top order, striking out India three times and De La Cruz and Spencer Steer twice each.

Snell hit the 18th no-hitter in Giants franchise history, following Ronal Blanco’s no-hit against Toronto and Dylan Cease’s no-hit against Washington.

Snell’s electric performance was praised by Reds pitcher Nick Martinez, who played with him in San Diego last season. 

Snell threw six perfect innings against Minnesota on July 14, striking out 15 in his last outing on July 27. Snell’s electric performance was praised by Reds pitcher Nick Martinez, who played with him in San Diego last season.

The player won the Cy Young Award for San Diego last season, becoming the seventh player in major league history to win it in both leagues. 

He signed a two-year, $62m deal with the Giants.

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Snell became the fifth Cy Young Award winner in history to throw a no-hitter, joining Jake Arrieta (2016), Clayton Kershaw (2014), Bob Gibson (1971), and Sandy Koufax (1964).

Follow Wat-Not on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram