Dylan Cease made history on Thursday by pitching the second no-hitter in San Diego Padres history, showcasing both his talent and determination.
The no-hitter came against the Washington Nationals, and Cease completed the remarkable feat with three walks and nine strikeouts, using a career-high 114 pitches.
Cease’s journey to the no-hitter was not without its challenges. In his postgame interview with the Padres’ TV broadcast, Cease revealed that his manager, Mike Shildt, had initially decided to pull him from the game after seven no-hit innings.
Cease, however, was not ready to call it a day. He successfully persuaded Shildt to let him continue, arguing that he still felt strong and had previously thrown a similar number of pitches in a game.
“He said, ‘Nice job,’” Cease recalled. “And I looked up, and it was like 94 pitches. I just said, ‘I feel great, and if we get through the next one in 105, I’ve thrown 113 this year.’ Thankfully, they let me talk them into it, and here we are.”
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Indeed, Cease had thrown 94 pitches through seven innings. His argument proved persuasive, and Shildt allowed him to take the mound for the eighth inning.
Cease then delivered a quick nine-pitch inning, bringing his total to 103 pitches and setting the stage for the ninth. With just 11 more pitches, he retired the final three batters and secured the no-hitter.
After the game, Cease was seen thanking Shildt on the field, a gesture acknowledging the trust and opportunity his manager had given him.
In an era where pitchers are often pulled during no-hit bids due to high pitch counts, Shildt’s decision to let Cease continue was both bold and commendable. The Padres were leading by a narrow 3-0 margin, meaning even a single baserunner could have significantly altered the game’s dynamics.
Cease’s performance not only rewarded his manager’s faith but also highlighted his own resilience and capability under pressure.
This no-hitter will be remembered not just for the achievement itself, but for the determination and teamwork that made it possible.
