Mets 8, Cardinals 0: Santana’s no-hitter is first in history of Mets

Johan Santana put the first no hitter in the New York Mets history, helped to call the judge and an outstanding catch in the 8-0 win over St. Louis cardinals last night.

After a string of close calls in 51-season history of the team, Santana finally finished work of 8.020 in the Mets' in th game.

"Finally, the first one," Santana said. "It is the most emotional ever."

He has two main assists to pull off a third no hitter the major funds in this period.

Carlos Beltran hit in the Cardinal line drive over third base in the sixth inning that hit the foul line and should have been called the Fair. But third base Judge Adrian Johnson ruled a foul. A replay showed clearly mark where the ball hit the line.

"It was difficult because it happened so fast. I was not able to see anything," Santana said. "The judge made his call, and it was at the end."

Mike Baxter on the Mets made the huge catch in left field to rob Yadier Molina of extra basa in the seventh. Baxter crashed into the wall, injured his shoulder and left the game.

"When I saw him running back to the warning track and he did play, it was unbelievable. Excellent game, and he saved the game," Santana said. "All these guys, I want to thank them for what we accomplished."

Making his 11th start since missing last season after shoulder surgery, Santana (3-2) threw a career-high 134 pitches in his second consecutive shutout. He struck out eight and walked five.

"Amazing," Santana said. "Coming into this season, I was just hoping to come back and be healthy and help this team, and now I am in this situation in the best city in baseball."

Phil Humber pitching a perfect game for the Chicago White Sox in Seattle on 21 April, and Jered Weaver, Los Angeles Angels pitching a no-hitter against Minnesota on May 2

Santana was cheered as he went to the mound in the ninth inning. The two-time Cy Young winner retired soon Matt Holliday and Allen Craig on shallow fly balls.

With the crowd of 27.069 feet, World Series MVP David Freese went 3-and-2 count before his foul tip caught by Josh Thole.

The Mets jumped out of the dugout and mobbed Santana.

"It was a crazy night - my fast ball moved all over," Santana said.

San Diego Padres, who began playing in 1969, is now the only team without a no hitter.

A Giddy Catcher Retraces a Special Night

Josh Thole does not get to run on the mound and embrace Johan Santana on Friday night, the first night of his return from the disabled list since May 7, when he sustained a concussion. Never mind how difficult it was for battery companies Santana and Thole to keep guessing and Louis Cardinals hitless through the night, it almost did not happen: Manager Terry Collins had almost persuaded Thole to play one more minor league rehab game.

"TC tried to talk me into it, really," Thole said Collins in his locker about an hour after he hugged Santana on the mound at Citi Field. "He asked," Are you sure you're ready? "I said," I am ready. That's it. I think I can handle it. "

The Mets had come so close to losing no-hitter in the game. Considering that Thole almost lost the game just shows how much had to go right for the first Mets' no-hitter in franchise history.

"You'll never forget this," Thole said. "It's like - I have asked to have a catcher's gear confirmed. It's like this stuff does not happen every day. I mean, again, a young boy, I'm a little giddy."

Thole grinned the whole time he retraced the steps, telling of a ninth inning that could define his career. Disposal of the meat of its cardinals "- Matt Holliday, Allen Craig and David Freese - in order, Santana needed just 12 pitches, eight changeups, three fast balls and sliders.

Holliday lifted the first pitch changeup to center field, but it proved harmless. To that point, Thole said Santana had given him plenty of options as catcher, as he located his fast ball and slider on each side of the plate, making his changeup much more dangerous.

Craig began a 2-2 changeup into left field - and just like the fans did during Holliday's at-bat, it seemed as if everyone holding their breath. And that, too, was harmless.

But if one player was impressed enough to end up like the Mets' on, it would be Freese, State World Series most valuable player, took the first three pitches he saw. Santana was 3-0 hole.

So Thole exactly for the fast ball, "he founded the Committee on the plate very well, so there was no question that what I was going. We were going - fast ball in, and if he loses, oh well, going first to will try to get out again. "

The ball stuck fast; Strike first

Then, after Freese fouled off changeup, Thole called the second, the 3-2 count, with the opportunity to end Santana's no-hitter.

"It was strange, but I mean, I was not - it was like it was right for me," Thole said. "The last full at-bat came right to me. No question about it. It was as if he throws a changeup, I want it down to earth. If we walk him, and that, and hopefully we can get in the swing through. he threw and he threw it perfect. I did not close it, I was able to grab it, and that's it. "

Freese swung in the air, and Thole complimented the judge, in what has become a polite Thole often closer, and he rushed to the mound, arms to the sky. Nine innings in his return from the concussion, it was clear that Thole's head was clear, too.