In a dominant performance, Toronto Blue Jays starter Dylan Cease almost etched his name in the franchise record books during a 10-0 victory over the San Francisco Giants. Cease worked eight innings, striking out 11 and allowing just one hit—the leadoff single to Heliot Ramos in the bottom of the ninth. He had already thrown 118 pitches when manager John Schneider pulled him to a standing ovation from the dugout.
Cease has previously pitched a no-hitter, accomplishing the feat with the San Diego Padres against the Washington Nationals on July 25, 2024. He was aiming to become only the second pitcher in Blue Jays history to throw a no-hitter, joining Dave Stieb, who achieved the milestone on September 2, 1990. Although Ramos broke up the bid with a single, Cease’s performance was still extraordinary and has him in the conversation to start for the American League in the upcoming All-Star Game.
Reaction from Cease
After the game, Cease spoke with reporters, reflecting on the ninth-inning near-miss. He acknowledged that a potential no-hitter was always on his mind as the game progressed. “It’s impossible for it not to be in your mind,” he said, noting his belief in his spin and predicting that Ramos might be looking for a slider at some point. He explained a pitch sequence aimed at catching the batter by surprise: a few fastballs followed by a sinker. When Ramos singled, Cease accepted it as part of baseball, noting that a hit can vary from day to day.
Cease also felt he had better stuff in this outing compared with his no-hitter against the Nationals in 2024, saying, “I think I was better today.”
Schneider’s Perspective and Management of the Start
Blue Jays manager John Schneider described the decision to let Cease ride as long as possible while the no-hitter remained intact, even as the pitcher approached his career-high 118 pitches. “Dylan came in after the sixth and said, ‘I got 120,’ and I said, ‘OK.’ And then after the seventh, he said, ‘I got 130.’ It was his until he gave up the hit. Just really fun to watch him execute, good pace, good stuff. Awesome day for him,” Schneider commented.
Pitching coach Pete Walker also praised Cease, highlighting the pitcher’s rhythm and control. Walker noted that Cease’s delivery was on time and well-placed, with good tempo and a focused sequence toward home plate. He emphasized that Cease’s performance was the result of continued adjustments and hard work.
Takeaways
– Cease flirted with a no-hitter through eight innings, tying a significant milestone in Blue Jays history and showcasing his capability to dominate at the highest level.
– His 11 strikeouts and single allowed show a dominant, efficient performance, capping off a breakout effort that energized the team and its fans.
– The outing reinforces Cease’s status as a potential All-Star starter, given the quality of his stuff and his command on a big stage.
This game added another memorable chapter to Cease’s ongoing journey, illustrating his ability to elevate his performance in high-profile moments while continuing to refine his mechanics and approach on the mound.
