:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46681830/usa-today-8603843.0.jpg)
The Mets will be facing Chris Heston in San Francisco tonight for the first time since his June 9 no-hitter at Citi Field. On that night, the Mets could not make any hard contact off of Heston that night, as they hit just two balls past the infield and struck out 11 times without drawing a single walk.
Heston, a 27-year-old rookie, is 8-5 with a 3.78 ERA this season and 2-1 with a 3.80 ERA in four starts since the no-hitter. On nine occasions since 2010, a pitcher has thrown a no-hitter and and faced that same team again later in the season—Heston will be the tenth tonight. Here is a complete list of all such occurrences this decade:
Dallas Braden, 2010: The A's pitcher pitched a perfect game against the Rays on Mother's Day 2010. But in his next start against Tampa in August, he lost, allowing four hits and three runs in six innings as the Rays won 3-2.
Roy Halladay, 2010: In perhaps his best big league season, Halladay pitched a perfect game against the Marlins on May 29. When he faced them again in August, he did not disappoint, allowing just one run on five hits in seven innings of a 6-1 Phillies win.
Matt Garza, 2010: Garza pitched the first no-hitter in Rays history in July against the Tigers, but was not as lucky in his next start as he allowed three runs in 5.2 innings as Tampa took a 3-2 loss.
Jered Weaver, 2012: On May 2, Weaver no-hit the Twins. Five days later, he was called on to face Minnesota again and allowed just one run in six innings en route to an Angels win.
Matt Cain, 2012: In June, Cain pitched the first perfect game in Giants history against the Astros. When he faced them again that July, Cain allowed just one run in 6.1 innings of a 3-2 San Francisco win.
Tim Lincecum, 2013: Less than two months after he threw a whopping 148 pitches to no-hit the Padres, Lincecum did not have his best outing when he faced them again. He allowed five runs on seven hits in 5.2 innings, but recorded a victory thanks to some extra run support. The Giants won the game, 13-5.
Clayton Kershaw, 2014: Kershaw no-hit the Rockies last June at Dodger Stadium, and proceeded to throw eight scoreless innings against them at Coors Field last July 4. The high altitudes did not faze the Cy Young winner, as Colorado managed just two hits all day.
Tim Lincecum, 2014: Following his second no-hitter against the Padres last June, Lincecum's next start against them two weeks later was also a winning effort, as he allowed just one run on three hits in 6.1 innings of a 5-3 Giants win.