The Chicago Cubs once went 108 years between World Series tiles. What’s 52 years between no-hitters at their home field?
Shota Imanaga threw seven no-hit innings and relievers Nate Pearson and Porter Hodge completed the task in the Cubs’ 12-0 win over the Pittsburgh PIrates on Wednesday. It was the first no-hitter in Cubs history since 2021, and their 18th overall.
However, not since Milt Pappas on Sept. 2, 1972 had the Cubs authored a no-hitter at Wrigley Field.
Imanaga threw 95 pitches across seven innings, striking out seven batters and allowing two walks, before giving the ball to Pearson for the eighth inning.
The first @Cubs no-hitter at Wrigley Field in 52 years will live on in Cooperstown!
A ball signed by Shota Imanaga, Porter Hodge and Nate Pearson will be donated to the Hall of Fame. pic.twitter.com/mhGOrVr40p
— National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum ⚾ (@baseballhall) September 5, 2024
The Pirates never advanced a runner beyond second base despite the two walks and three Chicago errors — all by third baseman Isaac Paredes.
When Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson threw out Oneil Cruz to end the ninth inning, the announced crowd of 30,369 rose in raucuous unison in recognition of the historic occasion.
A ball signed by Imanaga, Hodge and Pearson will be donated to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.
When Carlos Zambrano no-hit the Houston Astros on Sept. 14, 2008, the Cubs were forced to play the game in Milwaukee because of Hurricane Ike. A full generation — 36 years — passed between Pappas and Zambrano’s efforts.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – SEPTEMBER 04: Shota Imanaga #18 and Miguel Amaya #9 of the Chicago Cubs celebrate as they walk off the field in the sixth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field on… CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – SEPTEMBER 04: Shota Imanaga #18 and Miguel Amaya #9 of the Chicago Cubs celebrate as they walk off the field in the sixth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field on September 04, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. Imanaga threw seven no-hit innings.
Quinn Harris/Getty Images
The Cubs’ last no-hitter was also a combined effort by pitchers Zach Davies, Ryan Tepera, Andrew Chafin and Craig Kimbrel at Dodger Stadium on June 24, 2021.
Swanson, Pete Crow-Armstrong and Cody Bellinger hit home runs for the Cubs (72-68), who had lost two in a row to the Pirates (65-74), the fifth-place team in the National League Central.
Chicago is hosting the New York Yankees for three games to end the homestand.
The Cubs have won seven of their last nine games, and 10 of their last 13, to maintain a tenuous position on the fringe of the NL Wild Card race. They’re 4.5 games behind the third Wild Card team, the Atlanta Braves (76-63) with the New York Mets (76-64) also in their way as the regular season enters its final stretch.
Speaking through an interpreter, Imanaga said after the game that he wasn’t aware of the no-hitter in progress Wednesday until Cubs manager Craig Counsell told him after the seventh inning.
#Cubs Shota Imanaga didn’t know he had a no-hitter going through 7. He said he found out when Craig Counsell approached him after the 7th looking “worried.”
— Taylor McGregor (@Taylor_McGregor) September 5, 2024
Imanaga already had a no-hitter on his resume from Japan. Now, as a 31-year-old rookie in MLB, he has a chance to add yet another impressive line item on his resume: a Rookie of the Year Award.
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