The Chicago Cubs threw what is already the seventh no-hitter in MLB this season, with a combined effort in a 4-0 win over the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday night.
Zach Davies threw six of the no-hit innings, while Ryan Tepera, Andrew Chafin, and Craig Kimbrel each added a scoreless inning to close out the first combined no-hitter in Cubs history.
Davies — despite five walks — rebounded from a rough outing last Friday against the Miami Marlins at Wrigley Field (6 IP, 7 H, 8 ER), while Tepera (1.96 ERA), Chafin (1.67), and Kimbrel (0.59 ERA; has thrown 9 1/3 hitless IP since May 26) continued their brilliance on the season.
The funny thing is that Kimbrel didn’t even realize he was finishing off a no-hitter! He noticed that something must be up — aside from a really nice win over the Dodgers, of course — because of catcher Willson Contreras’ reaction, and Tepera delivered the news.
Chafin said that the “whole bullpen had no idea” a no-hitter was on the line.
The no-hitters have been happening at an absurd rate this season. The seven no-hitters already tied for the most in the modern era (since 1900), and the next no-no will tie the all-time single-season record of eight (set in 1884).
The last time the Dodgers were no-hit was also by the Cubs, and also at Dodger Stadium. Jake Arrieta got that done against the Dodgers on Sunday Night Baseball in August 2015.
And it will be Arrieta that starts for the Cubs on Friday at Dodger Stadium.
About Matt Clapp
Matt is an editor/writer at The Comeback and Awful Announcing.
He can be reached by email at mclapp@thecomeback.com.