Christian Vázquez is etching his name deeper into Astros’ no-hitter history. He is now one of only two catchers to have caught a no-hitter in the World Series, a feat he accomplished in 2022 against the Phillies. The other is Hall of Famer Yogi Berra.
Vázquez is also among a small group of catchers who have caught multiple no-hitters. Both of Vázquez’s no-hitters have been combined no-hitters. He was behind the plate for the Astros’ combined no-hitter against the Rangers.
A Stressful but Fun Night
Vázquez described the combined no-hitter against the Rangers as stressful. He felt the pressure as much as the pitchers on the mound. Tatsuya Imai pitched the first six innings, navigating around three walks in the opening inning. Steven Okert threw the seventh inning, and Alimber Santa closed out the final six outs in his Major League debut.
The combined no-hitter marked the first in the Major Leagues since Sept. 4, 2024. It was also the 18th in Astros history, including the postseason.
Vázquez Joins Maldonado in the Record Books
Vázquez joins Martín Maldonado as the only catchers to have worked two combined no-hitters. All of these combined no-hitters 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 ahead of the Astros’ 10-7 loss to the Rangers Tuesday night. “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.”
Reflecting on the Combined Effort
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.”
Imai’s Potential
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, believes Imai is close to realising his potential. He has had consecutive good starts. Vázquez noted that half of Imai’s 18 walks this year have come in the first inning, including three on 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’s Debut
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.
Vázquez said Imai is close to putting it together with consecutive good starts under his belt.