(AP)
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Johan Santana pitched the first no-hitter in New York Mets' history tonight, helped by an umpire's missed call and an outstanding catch in left field in an 8-0 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals. After a string of close calls in their 51-season history, Santana finally finished the job in the Mets' 8,020th game since the team was born in 1962. "Finally, the first one," Santana said. "That is the greatest feeling ever."
He needed a couple of key assists to pull off the majors' third no-hitter this season. Carlos Beltran, back at Citi Field for the first time since the Mets traded him last July, hit a line drive over third base in the sixth inning that hit the foul line and should have been called fair. But third-base umpire Adrian Johnson ruled it foul, and the no-hitter was intact. Hometown kid Mike Baxter then made a tremendous catch in left field to rob Yadier Molina of extra bases in the seventh. Baxter crashed into the wall, injured his shoulder, and left the game. Making his 11th start since missing last season following shoulder surgery, Santana (3-2) threw a career-high 134 pitches in his second consecutive shutout. He struck out eight and walked five.
