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.
6 no-hit innings from Zach Davies so far tonight.@Cubs #GoCubsGo @Dodgers pic.twitter.com/1wLfghJZiF
— Billy Krumb (@ClubhouseCancer) June 25, 2021
NO-HITTER! https://t.co/yjWtrXnJto pic.twitter.com/3fdjupurJo
— MLB (@MLB) June 25, 2021
Craig Kimbrel finishes off the first combined no-hitter in #Cubs history!#CubTogether pic.twitter.com/Cmprbfmc6h
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) June 25, 2021
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.
I held back from tweeting it because people on here would blame me if he blew it, but Craig Kimbrel last allowed a hit on May 26. He's thrown 9 1/3 hitless innings since then.
— Matt Clapp (@TheBlogfines) June 25, 2021
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.
"I'm not gonna lie, I had no idea until the last out."
Ignorance is bliss! pic.twitter.com/Rr9axfshja
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) June 25, 2021
Chafin said that the “whole bullpen had no idea” a no-hitter was on the line.
Andrew Chafin: “The whole bullpen had no idea. It was completely oblivious. In our defense, from that bullpen, our perspective on the field, all we can see is like batting averages and the count and stuff like that.”
— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) June 25, 2021
Chafin was talking to a couple of trainers after pitching and some stats about no-hitters flashed on the screen and he was confused.
"I was like, wait a second, why would they be showing that stat at this point in the game?
"Ohhh Sh–."
— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) June 25, 2021
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 Cubs have thrown their first combined no-hitter in franchise history.
It's the 7th no-no this year, tied for the most in the modern era (since 1900).
The next no-hitter will tie the all-time single-season record of 8 no-hitters, set in 1884. pic.twitter.com/qzoFuUvY7X
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 25, 2021
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.
Last no-hitter at Dodger Stadium was also (a) the last time the Dodgers were no-hit, and (b) thrown by the Cubs– Jake Arrieta, Aug 30 2015.https://t.co/MDNLuKpouo
— Doug Kern (@dakern74) June 25, 2021
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.