Giants pitcher Blake Snell throws first career no-hitter in 3-0 win over Reds

It took more than 100 pitches, but Blake Snell pulled it off on Friday night at the Great American Ball Park.

The San Francisco Giants ace threw a no-hitter while leading them to a 3-0 win over the Cincinnati Reds on Friday. Snell had 11 strikeouts and threw 114 pitches in the no-hitter, which was the first of his career and the 18th in Giants history. It was just the first time in Snell’s career that he completed eight innings, too.

It marked the third no-hitter of the season. San Diego Padres star Dylan Cease threw one last month in their 3-0 win over the Washington Nationals. Astros pitcher Ronel Blanco started the year with a no-hitter on April 1 in a move that played him into the rotation in Houston.

Snell had 96 pitches through seven innings on Friday night, and it seemed as if he was going to get pulled for the final two. He had nine strikeouts and had walked three batters up until that point while keeping the Reds scoreless. But Snell returned to the mound for the eighth inning and successfully kept his no-hitter bid alive while picking up his 10th strikeout of the night.

Despite having never made it to the ninth inning in his career, and already being at 108 pitches on the night, Snell returned for the final inning. He quickly struck out Santiago Espinal and Jonathan India grounded out, which sent Reds star Elly de la Cruz to the plate. He then lined out to right field in the first pitch, which gave Snell the no-hitter.

Snell is in his first season with the Giants this summer. The two-time Cy Young Award winner entered the night with an 0-3 record and a 5.10 ERA in 10 starts in just shy of 48 innings pitched. He’s been on the injured list multiple times this season, first with a left adductor strain and again with a groin injury.

The win, which was their sixth in their last seven games, pushed the Giants to 55-56 on the season.

This post will be updated with more information shortly.