San Francisco Giants left-hander Blake Snell etched his name in baseball history on August 2, 2024, throwing a masterful no-hitter against the Cincinnati Reds in a 3-0 victory. This marks the third no-hitter of the 2024 Major League Baseball season and the 18th in Giants franchise history.Snell, the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner, was dominant throughout the game, striking out 11 batters and walking just three. He threw a total of 114 pitches, with 78 finding the strike zone. The 31-year-old pitcher secured the final out by retiring Reds’ star Elly De La Cruz on just one pitch.’It’s a great feeling,’ Snell said after the game, ‘but I’m not going to get too high on myself. I’m going to keep working and trying to be the best pitcher I can be’. Snell’s performance was particularly notable as it was his first complete game in 202 major league starts.The Giants’ offense provided crucial support, with Casey Schmitt and Tyler Fitzgerald each hitting solo home runs. Fitzgerald, who has been on a hot streak recently, also contributed an RBI double.This no-hitter represents a significant turnaround for Snell, who had struggled earlier in the season with a 0-3 record and a 5.10 ERA. However, he had shown signs of improvement in recent starts, including six perfect innings on July 14 and a 15-strikeout performance on July 27.The achievement adds to the Giants’ rich pitching history, with Snell becoming the first Giant to throw a no-hitter since Chris Heston in 2015. It also marks the 13th time the Reds have been no-hit in their franchise history.As the Giants continue their push for a playoff spot, Snell’s performance provides a significant boost to the team’s aspirations. ‘This type of performance is exactly what they had in mind when they signed him this offseason,’ noted Sports Illustrated, highlighting the impact Snell could have on the Giants’ postseason chances alongside fellow ace Logan Webb.
Key points
- Blake Snell threw a no-hitter for the San Francisco Giants in a 3-0 win over the Cincinnati Reds.
- This was Snell’s first career no-hitter and complete game, coming in his 202nd major league start.
- Snell struck out 11 batters and walked three, throwing 114 pitches in the game.
- This is the third no-hitter in MLB this season and the 18th in Giants franchise history.
