CHICAGO (AP) — Shota Imanaga was pleased with his performance, even after being taken out of the game after seven innings during which he didn’t allow any hits, having thrown 95 pitches.
“It’s amusing because he didn’t even realize he was pitching a no-hitter,” noted Chicago Cubs manager Counsell.
Relievers Nate Pearson and Porter Hodge stepped in to pitch a flawless inning each, completing a 12-0 win against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday night. This victory marked the Cubs’ first no-hitter at Wrigley Field since 1972.
“The decision was entirely about looking after Shota and ensuring we’re making the best choices for his health,” said Counsell. “It’s tough to do, but prioritizing a player’s well-being is essential, especially since we want him to remain healthy moving forward.”
Imanaga (12-3) registered seven strikeouts and issued two walks, with 66 of his pitches being in the strike zone.
The 31-year-old left-hander is in his first year with the Cubs after spending eight seasons pitching in Japan. This season, Imanaga has yet to pitch in the eighth inning and has reached a maximum of 103 pitches in a game.
He threw 25 pitches in the second inning alone and expressed appreciation for catcher Miguel Amaya, who celebrated with the pitching staff after the final out.
“Miggy does a great job of studying hitters. There were instances where I had a specific pitch in mind, but he called a different sign. I trusted his judgment, and it worked out perfectly. I’m very grateful to him,” Imanaga said through an interpreter.
Imanaga signed a four-year contract worth $53 million in January, with the Cubs also paying a $9.825 million fee to the Yokohama BayStars of Japan’s Central League.
“His dedication, confidence, and the intentionality he brings to every pitch are impressive,” Amaya remarked. “He’s a true competitor.”
The last no-hitter for the Cubs came from a combination of Zach Davies, Ryan Tepera, Andrew Chafin, and Craig Kimbrel at Dodger Stadium on June 24, 2021. Prior to that, the last no-hitter at Wrigley Field was pitched by Milt Pappas against San Diego on September 2, 1972. Remarkably, Pappas was just one pitch away from a perfect game when a full-count pitch was called a ball, allowing the batter to walk.
The Cubs ended a streak of 4,147 regular and postseason games at Wrigley Field without a no-hitter, making it the second-longest drought for a team at a single ballpark, trailing only Pittsburgh. The Pirates experienced a similar drought of 4,773 games at Forbes Field from 1909 to 1970 without a no-hitter.
The Cubs’ players joyfully celebrated when shortstop Dansby Swanson made the final out by throwing to first baseman Michael Busch after Oneil Cruz hit a ground ball. However, their celebration was more subdued compared to the usual exuberance seen after an individual no-hitter.
Swanson insisted on continuing to play despite the game’s outcome. “Shota approaches his work consistently, regardless of how he pitches. He’s always striving to improve and follows his routine, preparing himself for his next outing. He takes great pride in his preparation,” Swanson stated.
This no-hitter was the fourth of the season, following complete-game performances from Houston’s Ronel Blanco against Toronto on April 1, San Francisco’s Blake Snell at Cincinnati on April 2, and San Diego’s Dylan Cease against Washington on July 25.
Cubs players Nico Hoerner, Pete Crow-Armstrong, and Swanson all contributed significantly, each recording three of Chicago’s seventeen hits. Notably, Swanson and Crow-Armstrong both finished the game one triple shy of hitting for the cycle.
Pittsburgh’s Domingo Germán (0-1), who pitched a perfect game last season with the New York Yankees against Oakland, struggled, allowing seven runs (six earned) and nine hits over three innings.
Seiya Suzuki drove in a run with a single in the first inning, and the Cubs built a 4-0 lead in the second with a double from Crow-Armstrong and a two-run single from Happ.
In the third inning, Swanson hit a two-run homer, while Crow-Armstrong followed with a solo homer, extending the lead to 7-0. Cody Bellinger added a two-run homer in the sixth against Kyle Nicolas.
In the eighth inning, Rowdy Tellez of the Pirates allowed an RBI single from Miles Mastrobuoni, marking Tellez’s third appearance on the mound this season.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Pirates: OF Andrew McCutchen was scratched from the lineup shortly before the game due to a knee issue.
Cubs: LHP Justin Steele, dealing with tendinitis in his pitching elbow, and RHP Jorge López, who has a strained right groin, were both placed on the 15-day injured list. Steele’s placement is retroactive to Sunday, while López’s is retroactive to Tuesday. Meanwhile, reliever Hayden Wesneski, out since July 19 with right forearm injury, is starting a rehab assignment at Triple-A Iowa.
UP NEXT
Pirates: LHP Bailey Falter (6-7, 4.41 ERA) is scheduled to pitch on Thursday as the Pirates return home to face the Nationals.
Cubs: RHP Javier Assad (7-4, 3.21) is set to start on Friday in the first game of the series at home against the Yankees, who will see RHP Luis Gil (12-6) return from the injured list after recovering from a lower back strain.
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