The Houston Astros are three outs away from tossing a no-hitter in the World Series.
Astros right-hander Cristian Javier was magnificent in Wednesday’s Game 4 start against the Philadelphia Phillies, throwing six no-hit innings before turning it over to the bullpen.
Javier allowed two walks and struck out nine while throwing 97 pitches before being relieved by Bryan Abreu to start the seventh. Abreu maintained the combined no-hit bid, striking out J.T. Realmuto, Bryce Harper, and Nick Castellanos.
Rafael Montero was summoned for the eighth inning and put the Astros three outs away from the first combined no-hitter in World Series history.
Javier is the first pitcher to carry a no-no through six innings of a World Series game since Jerry Koosman in 1969, according to Sarah Langs of MLB.com.
The 25-year-old is also the only pitcher to have two consecutive postseason starts of at least five innings pitched with one or no hits allowed. He hasn’t allowed an earned run as a starter since Sept. 7 – a stretch of 34 1/3 innings that omits his relief appearance in the ALDS.
Don Larsen is the only player to throw a no-hitter in the World Series, tossing a perfect game in 1956 as a member of the New York Yankees against the Brooklyn Dodgers.
The only other postseason no-hitter was thrown by Phillies right-hander Roy Halladay during the 2010 NLDS.
