In a thrilling matchup at Yankee Stadium on May 7, 2025, San Diego Padres pitcher Dylan Cease showcased his elite skills, carrying a no-hitter into the seventh inning against the New York Yankees. However, the night took a sudden turn when he exited the game with an apparent injury, leaving fans and teammates anxious about his condition.
Cease was nothing short of spectacular for the first six innings, allowing no hits, walking two batters, and striking out nine. His dominance on the mound had fans buzzing, especially as the Padres were looking to secure a win in the final game of a wild series against the Yankees. The right-hander was pitching with precision, throwing 59 of his 89 pitches for strikes, and seemed on track for one of the best performances of his season.
But in the seventh inning, the tide turned. With one out and on his 86th pitch, Cody Bellinger connected on an 0-2 fastball, sending it deep into the right-field stands for a solo home run that tied the game at 1-1. This hit not only ended Cease's no-hit bid but also marked the Yankees' first hit of the night.
Following the home run, Cease regrouped and struck out Anthony Volpe for his ninth strikeout of the night. Yet, just as quickly as he found his rhythm, he was visited by Padres manager Mike Shildt and head athletic trainer Mark Rogow. After a brief discussion on the mound, Cease, appearing to lobby to stay in the game, ultimately walked off the field with the trainer, raising alarm among the Padres' faithful.
Jason Adam took over pitching duties and managed to strike out Jasson Dominguez to end the seventh inning, with the game still tied. Adam, who has been impressive this season with an ERA under 1.00, stepped up in a crucial moment for the Padres.
The Padres have already faced significant challenges this season with injuries, as Joe Musgrove is out for the year, and Yu Darvish and Matt Waldron have yet to make an appearance in 2025. Losing Cease, who was showing signs of returning to his dominant form, could be a devastating blow to the team's rotation.
Despite the injury concerns surrounding Cease, there was a silver lining for the Padres in this game. Jackson Merrill made his return to the lineup, hitting a solo home run off Max Fried earlier in the game. He also contributed with a go-ahead RBI in the eighth inning, scoring Fernando Tatis Jr., while Xander Bogaerts added a sacrifice fly to score Manny Machado, giving San Diego a 3-1 lead.
However, the Yankees weren't done yet. Former Padre Trent Grisham delivered a dramatic two-run home run in the eighth inning, tying the game again at 3-3, showcasing the back-and-forth nature of this thrilling contest.
Cease's performance on the mound was particularly noteworthy as he had entered the game with a 5.61 ERA, looking to turn his season around. The Padres acquired him from the Chicago White Sox in a March 2024 trade, and he had previously made history by throwing the second no-hitter in franchise history last July.
As the game continued, the Padres and their fans were left holding their breath, awaiting news on Cease's condition. His exit raised questions about the stability of the Padres' pitching staff, which has already faced significant turmoil this season.
In the aftermath of the game, fans and analysts alike were left wondering about the implications of Cease's injury. If he is sidelined for an extended period, it could severely impact the Padres' chances as they navigate through a competitive season.
With the game still in progress and the excitement palpable, all eyes will be on the Padres as they hope for a swift recovery for Cease. The team, currently tied with the Yankees, will need to rally together as they push forward in the season.
In conclusion, while the Padres have shown resilience with players like Merrill stepping up, the uncertainty surrounding Cease's health adds a layer of tension to an already thrilling season. Fans are eagerly awaiting updates on his injury, hoping to see their ace back on the mound soon.
