Tonight, Johan Santana pitched the first no-hitter in the Mets' 50-year history in a 8-0 win over the Cardinals. Watch the last out here—and check out this edited montage of the no-hitter below!
This was also the first no-hitter of Santana's career. Manager Terry Collins said, "He's been incredible. He's been absolutely outstanding. To give us the quality outings that he's given us has been remarkable, coming off what he had to go through. I just hope the next—what's he had, nine starts? I just hope the next 20 will be as good."
Santana, who had shoulder surgery last season, threw 134 pitches, walking five and striking out eight batters*. After the game, he said, "We work very hard, all the things I have gone through, this is very, very special & I know this means a lot to New York... Coming into this season I was just hoping to come back and stay healthy and help this team, and now I am in this situation in the greatest city for baseball." Also: "I don’t think I have ever thrown a no-hitter, even in video games. I had no sense that I would throw a no-hitter." Awww. You can watch his post-game interview here.
Newsday points out that Santana got a "little help from Mike Baxter, as well as third-base umpire Adrian Johnson. Baxter made a spectacular one-out catch on the warning track in the seventh, stumbling shoulder-first into the wall on Yadier Molina's screaming liner to leftfield"—Baxter left the game with a shoulder contusion—*"As for Johnson, he might've given the Mets a break in the sixth inning when he blew a call on a ball hit by former Met Carlos Beltran in his first game at Citi Field since he was traded to the Giants last season." Cranky Cards fans (or Mets haters) are already talking "faux hitter" while Yankees fans are scoffing that it took the Mets 8,020 games to get a no-hitter.
Also, did you see the fan run onto the field?
Update: Mayor Bloomberg Tweeted, "Congrats @Johansantana for pitching the first no-hitter in #Mets history!" and linked to this GIF of him high-fiving Mr. Met.
No Tweets from Governor Cuomo, but his office did send a statement via e-mail: "I congratulate Johan Santana and the entire Mets organization for achieving a milestone in franchise history. The no-hitter thrown tonight by Johan truly demonstrates New York-style resilience and dedication, as after overcoming injuries and setbacks, Santana has put his name among the giants in baseball history. As a Queens native, born and raised, I congratulate Johan, manager Terry Collins, and the entire franchise on this landmark achievement." Update: Cuomo just Tweeted a link to his statement! Now we need a GIF of him high-fiving Mr. Met!
