For this franchise, no-hitters come around once every 50 years. Or, at least, that’s how long it took the Mets to get their one and (so far) only. Steven Matz made his bid for history a little more than four years after Johan Santana made his. But unlike Santana and similar to many others before him, Matz’ hopes against the San Diego Padres came up a few outs short.

For manager Terry Collins, watching a left-hander with injury concerns attempt a no-hitter was a recurring nightmare. He agonized over the decision to leave Santana — less than one year after shoulder surgery — stay in for the duration of his noteworthy June 1, 2012 outing versus the St. Louis Cardinals — a feat accomplished after 134 pitches.

Matz eclipsed 100 pitches during his strikeout of Jabari Blash, which marked the first out of the eighth. Collins’ choice became clear when Alexei Ramirez hit the 105th pitch sharply down the first-base line and bounded over the base before heading into foul territory. Umpire Carlos Torres immediately ruled it a hit and the promising rookie’s stellar day was done in what would turn out to be a 5-1 victory.

“Had he got through the eighth inning, I was going to let him start the ninth — depending on what the eighth inning looked like,” Collins said per the Associated Press. “I wasn’t going to visit the Johan Santana scenario again, I can tell you that.”

While Matz was understandably disappointed, it was a hugely positive step.  He’d been dealing with loose bodies and a bone spur in his left elbow for much of the season and was coming off a career-high 120-pitch effort versus Arizona. His performance was also extremely beneficial for the Mets, who got above the .500 mark in their chase for the Wild Card.

Overcoming any lingering pain and taking full advantage of the National League’s 13th-ranked offense, Matz retired 14 straight Padres after beginning the afternoon by allowing a walk to Travis Jankowski. Derek Norris drew a bases on balls to start the sixth and end the streak, but it would be the second and final walk on Matz’ ledger.

He struck out six, including Blash to open the eighth, before Ramirez’ single. The offense provided a small measure of run support from homers by Wilmer Flores and Neil Walker before tacking on insurance after Matz’ departure.