Sports

Cubs' Shota Imanaga Throws 7 Innings in a Combined No-Hitter

Shota Imanaga left the game after throwing 95 pitches and the Cubs leading 11-0 heading into the eighth inning at Wrigley Field.

Published

2 weeks ago

September 5, 2024

Ed Odeven

Chicago Cubs starter Shota Imanaga pitches in the first inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates on September 4 at Wrigley Field in Chicago. (©Charles Rex Arbogast/AP)

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Chicago Cubs left-hander Shota Imanaga tossed seven no-hit innings against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday, September 4 at Wrigley Field.

Relievers Nate Pearson and Porter Hodge followed by working one inning apiece, retiring the side in order in the eighth and ninth, respectively, as the Cubs completed the 18th no-no in franchise history.

The Cubs defeated the Pirates 12-0 in the 2-hour, 10-minute game.

An unforgettable, shared experience for pitchers Imanaga, Pearson and Hodge and catcher Miguel Amaya, the four men commemorated the occasion by posing for photos after the game.

There have been 21 combined no-hitters in MLB history.

Imanaga expressed gratitude after the game ended.

"I'm grateful to Amaya for calling the pitches and the fielders for their defensive work, and to everyone we brought joy to," Imanaga was quoted as saying by Kyodo News.

Imanaga also praised Amaya for his knowledge of the Pirates hitters, making smart decisions about how to pitch to them.

"Miggy studies the hitters, and there were a few occasions today where there was a specific pitch I wanted to throw, Miggy had a different sign, and I just trusted him and it worked out," Imanaga said through an interpreter, according to MLB.com. "I can't thank him enough."

It was Chicago's first no-hitter at Wrigley Field since Milt Pappas accomplished the feat on September 2, 1972, against the San Diego Padres.

Shota Imanaga Exits the Game with a Huge Lead

Imanaga (12-3), who's in his first MLB season, allowed two walks and struck out seven. He left the game after throwing 95 pitches (66 strikes). The Cubs (72-68) led 11-0 entering the eighth inning.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said the decision to replace Imanaga after seven innings was done as a precautionary move, citing health concerns.

"Look, it's always hard to do in that situation. But you're taking care of Shota," Counsell said, according to MLB.com. "It's not fun to do, but you're prioritizing the player's health, and you don't know what's going to happen moving forward, we want him to stay healthy."

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Author: Ed Odeven

Find Ed on JAPAN Forward's dedicated website, SportsLook. Follow his [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven.