Chicago Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga earned an All-Star Game invitation midway through his first MLB season.
On Wednesday, he delivered what was arguably the best performance of his remarkable rookie campaign, pitching seven hitless innings in a 12-0 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates. But he wasn’t allowed the chance to complete the no-hit performance.
Manager Craig Counsell pulled him after seven innings and 96 pitches. Cubs relievers Nate Pearson and Porter Hodge then completed the combined no-hitter effort with 1-2-3 innings in the eighth and ninth. The no-hitter was the The first of any kind by the Cubs at Wrigley Field Since 1972.
On the night, Imanaga allowed no hits, no runs and two walks while striking out seven Pirates. He threw 66 of his 95 pitches for strikes. He lowered his season ERA to 2.99 and his WHIP to 1.02 in 153 1/3 innings pitched.
Imanaga received more than enough offensive support in the win. Cubs hitters pounded Pirates pitchers for 17 hits, including three home runs, while scoring 12 runs on the board. The Cubs improved to 72-68 with the win. They are 4.5 games behind the Atlanta Braves in the standings. The National League’s final wild-card spot.
Imanaga has delivered since joining the Cubs from Japan.
In January, the Cubs signed Imanaga to a four-year, $53 million contract to bring him over from Japan. With the regular season about to end, that deal looks like a bargain.
Imanaga had a remarkable start to his MLB career, striking out nine Colorado Rockies players in six scoreless, two-hit innings in April. He carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning before it was broken up. By mid-May, Imanaga had a 0.84 ERA, the lowest in MLB history through a pitcher’s first nine career starts.
The first @Puppies The no-hitter at Wrigley Field in 52 years will live on in Cooperstown!
A ball signed by Shota Imanaga, Porter Hodge and Nate Pearson will be donated to the Hall of Fame. image.twitter.com/mhGOrVr40p
— National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum (@baseballhall) September 5, 2024
The effort earned him an invitation to the All-Star Game in July. Now he’s put together perhaps the best start of his young career in a Cubs no-hitter.
The no-hitter was the fourth of the MLB season and the first by combined effort. Ronel Blanco (Astros), Dylan Cease (Padres) and Blake Snell (Giants) have thrown the other three. Blanco had the opportunity to throw another no-hitter in June. Like Imanaga on Wednesday, he was pulled from that game after seven hitless innings.