Five Mets Pitchers Combine for Second No-Hitter in Franchise History

The New York Mets did something as a team that had only happened once before in the organization’s 60 year history. On Friday night against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citi Field, the New York Mets threw a no-hitter. This is the second no-hitter the Mets have thrown through the 9,499 games played as an organization. Furthermore, unlike Johan Santana’s legendary no-hitter performance back on June 1, 2012, this was a combined effort that featured five Mets’ pitchers.

Tylor Megill started the game and threw five terrific innings. He struck out five Phillies’ hitters and walked three. Unfortunately, due to some disciplined hitting by Philadephia, he was removed after the fifth inning as he threw 88 pitches. Drew Smith was the next pitcher to enter and he posted 1 ⅓ innings himself. He walked a batter and struck out four throwing 36 pitches.

Joely Rodríguez came in to relieve Smith in the seventh inning. After a Kyle Schwarber walk, which was issued by Smith, Rodríguez induced a ground ball, 6-4-3 double play. He also got the lead-off hitter in the eighth inning before Seth Lugo came on. Lugo only had to throw five pitches which resulted in two fly ball outs and sent the game to the ninth inning.

Edwin Diaz, with the trumpets blaring, came in to not only close the game but in an effort to register the Mets’ second ever no-hitter. He struck out Bryce Harper, Nick Castellanos, and J.T. Realmuto to make Mets’ history. It took Diaz 13 pitches and he went through one of the best group of 3-4-5 hitters in the league. What a beautiful ending to a terrific pitching performance.

Funny enough, after the game during the press conference Diaz admitted he was the only one of Lugo, Smith, and Megill that knew the Mets were pitching a combined no-hitter. Mets’ owner Steve Cohen tweeted after the game, “What a special night for the team and all our fans. You don’t see that very often. LGM.”

Worth pointing out, it took the Mets 159 pitches to do the job, extraordinary. They struck out 16 Phillies’ hitters and walked six. This was also the second no-hitter James McCann caught in his career (Lucas Giolito in 2020). Also, the second no-hitter Buck Showalter has been a part of in 21 year managerial career. 

There is always one play in every no-hitter that sticks out. Back in 2012, it was the Mike Baxter grab while crashing into the W.B. Mason advertisement in left field. Tonight, it was a diving Brandon Nimmo catch in the second inning off a 104.5 MPH line drive that had an xBA of .770. 

Overall, this is the 315th no-hitter in MLB history. Specifically, the 17th of the combined variety. The last single pitcher effort no-hitter in the MLB occurred last season when Tyler Glbert did it for the Arizona Diamondbacks on August 14th of 2021. The most recent no-hitter of any type was a combined effort by the Milwakee Brewers on September 11th of 2021. The Phiadelphia Phillies were no-hit for the first time since May 25th of 2014. This is the 22nd time in their history. 

Interestingly enough, this is the fourth no-hitter at Citi Field since its opening in 2009. Of course, former Mets’ pitcher Johan Santana threw 134 pitches in his historic Met moment back in June of 2012. Also, current Met Max Scherzer threw one as a member of the Nationals’ in October of 2015 and in June of 2015, Chris Heston threw one for the San Franscio Giants. 

Well, it took New York 50 years and 8,019 games for the organiztions first no-hitter in 2012. Now, 1,480 games and 10 years later the Mets have their second no-hitter in team history. The team’s first combined effort. Coincidentally enough, the Mets are honoring Santana’s no-hitter on May 31st as the 10-year anniversary. Furthermore, after the game Jeff McNeil even admitted, “That’s probably the coolest thing I’ve ever seen on a Major League Baseball field.” What a terrific start to the season for the season it has been. Oh, and happy birthday to Gary Cohen and Jerry Seinfeld!