Chicago Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga had a sparkling night on the mound, playing a huge role in a no-hitter against the Pittsburgh Pirates, the team’s first at Wrigley Field in more than 50 years.
Imanaga pitched seven innings, allowing just two walks and seven strikeouts while throwing 95 pitches. He was pulled before the eighth inning, with Nate Pearson and Porter Hodge finishing off the historic night.
The decision to bring Pearson into the game in the eighth inning was met with boos from Cubs fans at Wrigley, but he quickly worked a drama-free eighth inning and Hodge did the same in the ninth in this historic game.
The Cubs said it was the team’s first no-hitter at Wrigley Field since 1972, when Ken Holtzman threw it.
It was the fourth no-hitter this season in Major League Baseball, with Ronel Blanco, Blake Snell and Dylan Case all going hitless.
The Cubs’ last no-hitter came in June 2021, when Zach Davies, Ryan Tepera, Andrew Chafin and Craig Kimbrel combined to shut out the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium.
The match scored 326th Most no-hitters in MLB history, with the Cubs throwing 18 of those games. Ken Holtzman and Jake Arrieta each threw two no-hitters in their careers with the North Siders.
Meanwhile, the Cubs’ bats came back to life after two tough games, crushing the Pirates 12-0 in the final series between the clubs.
NBC Chicago
