Shota Imanaga, Cubs combine to no-hit Pirates

Chicago Cubs left-hander Shota Imanaga and two relievers combined to throw the 18th no-hitter in team history on Wednesday in a 12-0 win over the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates.

Imanaga (12-3) went the first seven innings, striking out seven and walking two while throwing 95 pitches en route to winning for a third consecutive start. Nate Pearson took over to start the eighth and retired the first three batters he saw. Porter Hodge pitched a perfect ninth inning, getting Oneil Cruz to ground to shortstop for the final out.

Bryan Reynolds reached on the first of three errors by Cubs third baseman Isaac Paredes before being erased on an inning-ending double play in the first inning. Imanaga retired the side in order in the third, fourth, fifth and seventh innings.

This was the fourth no-hitter thrown in the majors this season, and first since the San Francisco Giants' Blake Snell no-hit the Cincinnati Reds on Aug. 2.

The last no-hitter by the Cubs was another combined effort, as four pitchers no-hit the Los Angeles Dodgers in a 4-0 win on June 24, 2021. The Pirates were held hitless for the first time since they were stymied by the Chicago White Sox's Lucas Giolito on Aug. 25, 2020.

--Field Level Media