Dylan Cease makes Padres history with complete game no-hitter against Nationals

San Diego Padres v Cleveland Guardians
San Diego Padres v Cleveland Guardians / Lauren Leigh Bacho/GettyImages

Dylan Cease has been absolutely dominant for the San Diego Padres lately. His previous two starts brought him back into the NL Cy Young picture after a bit of a rough patch in the first half of the season. Right now, AJ Preller has to be punching the air in celebration for his ability to swing the preseason trade for Cease that rocked baseball.

However, Cease truly outdid himself on Thursday as he threw a complete game no-hitter against the Nationals, becoming the second Padres pitcher ever to pull it off.

Dylan Cease dominates Nationals with complete game no-hitter

Before Cease’s effort on Thursday, the Padres only other no-hitter came courtesy of Joe Musgrove back in 2021. San Diego still doesn't have a perfect game, however, as Cease walked three batters against Washington while Musgrove hit a batter during his no-no.

There aren't enough superalatives to describe Cease's dominance of the Nationals. He was still throwing 98 mph fastballs and 90+ mph sliders in the ninth inning even though he was well over 100 pitches. Other than a couple of walks to Lane Thomas and a walk to CJ Abrams, he was absolutely perfect.

With his nine strikeouts during the no-hitter, Cease has now struck out 30 batters over his last three starts while averaging over seven innings per start along the way. The Padres gave up quite a bit to acquire Cease right before the season started and now that investment is really paying off.

At this point, Padres fans should just sit back, enjoy this moment, and then wonder what Cease might have in store for all of us next and if he might have some more help in the rotation by the end of the trade deadline frenzy.

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