On November 2, 2022, in Game 4 of the 2022 World Series, pitchers Cristian Javier, Bryan Abreu, Rafael Montero and Ryan Pressly of the Houston Astros combined to throw a no-hitter against the Philadelphia Phillies. It was the first combined no-hitter in World Series history, and the second no-hitter in World Series history after Don Larsen's perfect game in 1956
Background edit
On November 2, 2022, in Game 4 of the 2022 World Series, pitchers Cristian Javier, Bryan Abreu, Rafael Montero and Ryan Pressly of the Houston Astros combined to throw a no-hitter against the Philadelphia Phillies. It was the first combined no-hitter in World Series history, and the second no-hitter in World Series history after Don Larsen's perfect game in 1956
The Philadelphia Phillies had been the victims of a combined no-hitter thrown by the New York Mets on April 29, 2022; that game was also started by Aaron Nola.
The Astros and Phillies faced each other in the 2022 World Series. The Phillies had won Games 1 and 3, while the Astros won Game 2.
Javier had not pitched in the 2022 World Series prior to this game. In his last appearance, in Game 3 of the 2022 American League Championship Series against the New York Yankees, Javier pitched 5+1⁄3 innings, allowing only one hit while striking out five batters.
Bryan Abreu made one appearance in the 2022 World Series prior to this game. In Game 1, Abreu pitched 1+2⁄3 innings of relief, striking out three.[6]
This was Rafael Montero's third appearance in the 2022 World Series. Pitching in both Game 1 and Game 2, Montero only allowed one hit.[6][7]
This was also Pressly's third appearance in the 2022 World Series. He also pitched in Game 1 and Game 2. In Game 2, Pressly allowed an unearned run.[6][7]
Game 4 edit
Game 4 was originally scheduled for November 1. However Game 3, scheduled for October 31, was postponed due to rain, so each game of the series was pushed back one day.[8]
Cristian Javier got the start for the Astros against Aaron Nola for the Phillies. Nola had also started Game 1 of the series, allowing five runs in five innings.[6][9]
The Astros and Phillies were scoreless until the fifth inning. Nola allowed the Astros to load the bases in the fifth with no outs before he was replaced by José Alvarado. Alvarado hit Yordan Álvarez with the first pitch he threw, scoring the game's first run and breaking a 16-innings scoreless streak for Houston. Later in the inning against Alvarado, Alex Bregman would hit a two-run double, Kyle Tucker followed with a sacrifice fly, and then Yuli Gurriel singled to score Bregman.[10]
Javier threw six innings and 97 pitches, including 63 strikes, without allowing a hit, striking out nine batters and walking two. In the seventh inning, he was relieved by Bryan Abreu, who struck out the side. Rafael Montero relieved him in the eighth, allowing no hits. Ryan Pressly followed with a hitless ninth, despite a walk to Kyle Schwarber, and completed the no-hitter. Overall, the Astros struck out 14 Phillies and retired 18 in a row between the third and ninth innings. A Jean Segura line drive that was the last out in the eighth inning. It was the first combined no-hitter in World Series history, and the second no-hitter in World Series history after Don Larsen's perfect game in 1956.[1][2] The Phillies became the first team in Major League Baseball history to be on both sides of postseason no-hitters, as the last postseason no-hitter before this was in the 2010 National League Division Series, where Roy Halladay, pitching for the Phillies, no-hit the Cincinnati Reds at Citizens Bank Park. Dusty Baker, who was managing the Astros during their combined no-hitter, managed Cincinnati when Halladay no-hit the Reds.[11]
Aftermath edit
After the game, Javier said via a translator, "It's funny. My parents told me today I was going to throw a no-hitter, and thanks to God, I was able to accomplish that."[12]
The Phillies did not win another game in the series, losing Game 5, 3–2, and Game 6, 4–1. The Astros won the 2022 World Series in six games.[13] The bullpen allowed a total of five runs during the postseason for an ERA of 0.83 in 54+1⁄3 innings.
References edit
Crizer, Zach (November 3, 2022). "World Series: Astros toss combined no-hitter in Game 4 vs. Phillies, make history after brilliant Cristian Javier start". sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved November 3, 2022. World Series no-hitter: Four Astros pitchers combine to blank Phillies in second Fall Classic no-no ever, cbssports.com McTaggart, Brian (June 25, 2022). "Led by Javier (13 K's), Astros no-hit powerful Yanks in Bronx". MLB.com. Retrieved November 3, 2022. Leitch, Will (November 2, 2022). "5 key storylines for World Series Game 4". MLB.com. Retrieved November 3, 2022. Passan, Jeff (October 23, 2022). "An embarrassing Game 3 loss laid the Yankees' faults bare". MLB.com. Retrieved November 3, 2022. "2022 MLB WORLD SERIES GAME 1: OCT 28, 2022". foxsports.com. Retrieved November 3, 2022. "2022 MLB WORLD SERIES GAME 2: OCT 29, 2022". espn.com. Retrieved November 3, 2022. Axisa, Mike (November 1, 2022). "World Series Game 3 postponed: Rain moves Phillies-Astros to Tuesday, changes schedule for 2022 Fall Classic". cbssports.com. Retrieved November 3, 2022. Castrovince, Anthony (November 3, 2022). "World Series Game 4 FAQ, lineups (LIVE on FOX)". mlb.com. Retrieved November 3, 2022. Van Doren, Kenny (November 3, 2022). "Watch: Houston Astros Explode for Big Fifth Inning to End Scoreless Streak". si.com. Retrieved November 3, 2022. 'I've Been on Both Ends and Here for Two Out of Three', The New York Times The Astros throw the World Series' first combined no-hitter – after the starter's parents kind of predicted it, CNN 2022 World Series: Phillies' bats, quiet since no-hitter, can't stand up to Astros, CBS Sports, November 6, 2022