The reigning National League Cy Young Award winner, Blake Snell, threw his first complete game on Friday night, achieving a no-hitter against the Cincinnati Reds with 11 strikeouts and three walks. Snell had struggled at the beginning of the season with a 9.51 ERA in his first five starts but has since turned things around, allowing just two earned runs over his last five starts, resulting in an impressive 0.45 ERA. Despite signing late in the offseason and landing on the injured list after just two starts, Snell seems to have found his old form, surpassing his previous career-high of 7.2 innings pitched and recording only four instances of getting at least one out in the seventh inning prior to his no-hitter.
This marks the third no-hitter in Major League Baseball this season, with Snell’s historic achievement coming after those of Ronel Blanco in April and Dylan Cease last week. The no-hitter was the 18th in Giants history and took Snell 114 pitches to complete, tied for the second-most of his career. The two-time Cy Young Award winner signed a two-year, $62 million deal with the San Francisco Giants but has the option to opt out after this season. Despite the relatively low value of his deal, Snell’s outstanding performance, including leading MLB in strikeouts per nine innings, seeks to prove that his Cy Young Awards were well-deserved and not a fluke.
Snell’s stellar outing follows a period of struggles at the start of the season, where he was unable to pitch deep into games and experienced inconsistent results outside of his standout seasons in 2018 and 2013. Despite his talent and achievements, factors such as his age and sporadic performance have influenced the terms of his contract. However, with his impressive career K/9 rate of 11.1 strikeouts per nine innings and his recent dominant performance, Snell is working hard to prove his worth and solidify his reputation as a top pitcher in MLB.
The left-handed pitcher’s no-hitter adds to the list of notable accomplishments in his career, which includes two Cy Young Awards and a reputation as a strikeout artist. Snell’s recent resurgence on the mound after a shaky start to the season demonstrates his resilience and determination to excel. His ability to bounce back and achieve a no-hitter against the Reds showcases his talent and potential as a dominant force on the field. With a renewed focus and improved performance, Snell continues to make his mark in the MLB and reinforce his status as a top-tier pitcher in the league.
As one of the few pitchers in MLB history to achieve two Cy Young Awards at a relatively young age, Snell’s latest achievement solidifies his place among the league’s elite pitchers. His no-hitter against the Reds serves as a reminder of his potential and talent, despite some challenges earlier in the season. Moving forward, Snell’s goal will be to maintain his current level of performance and continue to deliver exceptional outings on the mound. With his recent success and determination, Snell is poised to further establish himself as a key player in the MLB and showcase his ability to dominate on the field.
