Shōta Imanaga’s rookie campaign with the Chicago Cubs has been incredible, to say the least. He’s re-written the history books multiple times, accomplishing things the Cubs and the league have never seen done. On Wednesday night, he brought more history to the Friendly Confines by helping the Cubs combine no-hit the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Imanaga pitched seven innings of no-hit baseball. He walked just two batters and struck out seven. After throwing 95 pitches, Cubs Manager Craig Counsell made the decision to pull him for the night and hand the last six outs to the bullpen. Nate Pearson and Porter Hodge followed Imanaga with two clean innings. This was the Cubs’ first no-hitter thrown at Wrigley Field since 1972 when Milt Pappas no-hit the San Diego Padres.
The offense did not give any doubt to the pitchers, either. After being shut out on Tuesday night, the Cubs scored 12 runs on 17 hits, looking much like the team from last week. Dansby Swanson and Pete Crow-Armstrong ended the night just a triple shy of batting for the cycle. Nico Hoerner joined them for three hits of his own. Ian Happ, Seiya Suzuki, and Cody Bellinger each had two hits.
After the game and a quick celebration round of photos on the field, Shōta Imanaga spoke with the media about what he accomplished on the mound Wednesday night. One reporter tossed him a softball to pull out of the park with an answer. Instead, Imanaga went to the opposite field with his answer.
After the game, a reporter shared with Shōta Imanaga how much history he’s made and his accomplishments while pitching for the Cubs. The reporter asked him where his combined no-hitter ranks in all he’s done here. Using his interpreter, Edwin Stanberry very quickly answered for him, “About the third place.”
Imanaga said when Craig Counsell approached him in the dugout after the seventh inning, he looked different than his normal. Usually, there would be a handshake to let the starter know when he was done for the day. He said Counsell looked “worried,” and he knew what that meant. Imanaga said he trusted his manager, and it all worked out in the end.
Seven innings is the most Imanaga has pitched in a game all year. Wednesday was his eighth time going that far. Imanaga is now 12-3 on the year with a 2.99 ERA. In 153.1 innings pitched, he has struck out 155.
So, what are the two moments ahead of the combined no-hitter for Imanaga? Maybe it was the electricity of Opening Day and his first start at Wrigley Field in front of the home fans. Perhaps it was the night at the Chicago Blackhawks game when he knew Chicago should be home for him. He’ll probably keep it close to his chest. But Wednesday night is a night he’s sure to always rememeber.
