Cubs left-hander Shota Imanaga working on a no-hitter through 6 innings against Pirates
Chicago Cubs Left-Hander Shota Imanaga Throws No-Hitter Through 7 Innings Against Pittsburgh Pirates
CHICAGO — Chicago Cubs left-hander Shota Imanaga is working on a no-hitter going into the seventh inning of Friday’s game against Pittsburgh Pirates.
Imanaga has struck out nine and walked one. He has thrown 100 pitches, 68 for strikes.
Nick Gonzales lined to third for the first out of the fifth on one of Pittsburgh’s hardest-hit balls of the chilly afternoon at Wrigley Field.
Oneil Cruz walked with two down in the second, but Imanaga fanned rookie Konnor Griffin for the final out of the inning.
Chicago had managed just four hits off Pittsburgh right-hander Carmen Mlodzinski, and there was no score in the game.
The 32-year-old Imanaga went 0-1 with a 4.50 ERA in his first two starts of the season.
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB
Shota Imanaga, the talented left-hander for the Chicago Cubs, had fans on the edge of their seats as he pitched a no-hitter through seven innings in Friday’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. With nine strikeouts and just one walk, Imanaga showcased his dominance on the mound, throwing 100 pitches with an impressive 68 of them for strikes.
In the fifth inning, Nick Gonzales hit a hard line drive to third base, but it was caught for the first out of the inning. Despite some solid contact from the Pirates, Imanaga remained in control of the game.
Oneil Cruz managed to draw a walk in the second inning, but Imanaga quickly shut down any potential threats by striking out rookie Konnor Griffin to end the inning. His composure and skill were on full display as he navigated through the Pirates’ lineup.
On the offensive side, the Cubs struggled to generate much offense against Pittsburgh’s right-hander Carmen Mlodzinski, with only four hits to show for their efforts. The game remained scoreless, with Imanaga’s stellar pitching performance keeping the Cubs in contention.
Despite a challenging start to the season with a 0-1 record and a 4.50 ERA in his first two starts, Imanaga’s no-hitter bid was a reminder of his potential and ability to dominate on the mound. Cubs fans were undoubtedly excited to witness such a remarkable performance from the veteran pitcher.
As the game progressed, anticipation grew as Imanaga continued to mow down batters and keep the Pirates off the base paths. The possibility of a no-hitter added an extra layer of excitement to an already intense matchup between the Cubs and the Pirates.
