Dylan Cease Throws No-Hitter for Padres in 3-0 Victory Over Nationals

In a historic achievement for the San Diego Padres, pitcher Dylan Cease delivered the second no-hitter in the franchise's history during a 3-0 win against the Washington Nationals on Thursday. The 28-year-old right-hander struck out nine batters and issued three walks, culminating in a flyout from Nationals All-Star shortstop CJ Abrams to seal the no-hitter. The moment was celebrated by teammates who rushed the mound to congratulate Cease on this remarkable feat. Cease's performance was marked by a total of 114 pitches, just one over his season high. In a postgame interview, he recounted a conversation with team manager Mike Shildt, who praised him at 95 pitches. Cease expressed confidence in his stamina, stating he felt great and had thrown more pitches earlier in the season. His ability to convince Shildt to keep him in the game proved pivotal, leading to a memorable night for the pitcher and the team. This no-hitter is particularly significant as it follows Joe Musgrove's achievement in 2021, marking the second in franchise history. Additionally, it is the second no-hitter of the current MLB season, with the first being thrown by Ronel Blanco of the Houston Astros in April. Cease, who joined the Padres from the Chicago White Sox before the season, entered the game with a 9-8 record and a 3.59 ERA, showcasing his talent and potential on the mound.