Shota's 7 frames start Cubs' first no-no at Wrigley since 1972
Jordan Bastian
@MLBastianCHICAGO -- Shota Imanaga read the expression on Cubs manager Craig Counsell’s face as he approached the pitcher in the dugout on Wednesday night and sensed an unfamiliar look of concern. This was different from the usual quick conversation and handshake at the conclusion of a strong start.
“He looked a little worried,” Imanaga said via interpreter Edwin Stanberry. “So, I was figuring out what was going on. That’s when I learned.”
Imanaga learned that he had spun seven no-hit innings against the Pirates, but even with that realization the pitcher trusted his manager’s decision. In the end, the Cubs lefty got to share the spotlight with relievers Nate Pearson and Porter Hodge, who teamed with Imanaga for the 18th no-hitter in franchise history in a 12-0 victory over Pittsburgh.
After the historic evening -- the first no-hitter by the Cubs at Wrigley Field since Milt Pappas’ gem on Sept. 2, 1972, against the Padres -- Imanaga posed for photos in the interview room with Hodge, Pearson and catcher Miguel Amaya, who held the baseball used for the final out.
“That ball’s going to the Hall of Fame,” Amaya said. “It feels so special to be a part of Cubs history.”
The last no-hitter for the Cubs was also the only other combined effort on June 24, 2021, when four Cubs pitchers no-hit the Dodgers in Los Angeles. Craig Kimbrel completed that game and learned after the final out that it was a no-no. Similarly, Imanaga did not know until his chat with Counsell, and Pearson was unaware until he jogged in from the bullpen for the eighth.
When the Wrigley Field crowd realized Imanaga was done after 95 pitches and seven brilliant frames, the fans let out some boos. That reception also alerted Pearson that he was jogging into a routine eighth-inning situation.
“I honestly didn’t know we had a no-hitter going,” Pearson said with a smirk. “And I ran out there and started getting booed and I realized, ‘Oh, we probably have something on the line here.’ I kind of just locked it in and did my part.”
Pearson got the audience back on board with a one-two-three eighth inning, setting things up for Hodge to close out the win. The rookie right-hander -- one of the better stories within Chicago’s resurgent bullpen this season -- retired Billy McKinney, Nick Gonzales and Oneil Cruz in order with three consecutive ground balls to shortstop Dansby Swanson.
“I said, ‘Dansby, don’t miss this,’” Amaya said with a laugh.
Swanson scooped up the last chopper from Cruz and fired it smoothly to first baseman Michael Busch.
“It’s just like mixed emotions waiting for that ball to finally get to the first baseman for the final out,” Hodge said. “It’s just so nerve-wracking, is what I felt.”
Asked if he had any nerves going on that final play, the two-time Gold Glove-winning Swanson smiled and replied: “Not really.”
“That was just a moment that was really, really awesome to cherish,” added the shortstop. “Shota, Nate and Porter were awesome. Miggy was unbelievable behind the plate as well.”
Imanaga and company had a surplus of support, too.
The North Siders built a 7-0 advantage by the third inning -- helped by back-to-back homers from Dansby Swanson and Pete Crow-Armstrong in the third against Pirates righty Domingo Germán. Both Swanson and Crow-Armstrong finished a triple shy of a cycle within Chicago’s flurry. Cody Bellinger added a two-run blast in the sixth to give the Cubs an 11-0 lead.
Imanaga, who improved to 12-3 with a 2.99 ERA in his impressive rookie campaign, did work out of a handful of jams along the Cubs’ path to history.
Cubs third baseman Isaac Paredes was charged with a trio of errors, but Imanaga sidestepped the potential damage in the first and sixth innings. Imanaga also issued a pair of walks -- both coming in the second inning -- but dodged traffic in that situation, too. Overall, he struck out seven and exited with 95 pitches.
When Counsell walked into the interview room, he immediately quipped, “All right, let me have it,” due to his decision to lift Imanaga amid a no-hitter. The manager explained that he was focused on Imanaga’s importance to the rest of the season for the Cubs, who remain 4 1/2 games behind the Braves for the third National League Wild Card spot.
“Look, it’s always hard to do in that situation. But you’re taking care of Shota,” Counsell said. “It’s not fun to do, but you’re prioritizing the player’s health. … He actually didn’t know he had a no-hitter going at all, which is funny.”
After the historic night, Imanaga enjoyed sharing the moment with his teammates.
“I have a lot of respect for everyone,” Imanaga said. “Porter, Nate, Miggy, all the defense. … I’m just thankful for everybody today.”