"Doesn't count"; "What a performance!" - MLB fans split as Shota Imanaga stars in Cubs' first combined no-hitter at Wrigley since 1972
Chicago Cubs rookie pitcher Shota Imanaga starred in his team's demolition of the Pittsburg Pirates in a 12-0 shutout win on Wednesday. The Japanese sensation, with the Cubs bullpen, accomplished a combined no-hitter.
Imanaga went seven innings deep on the night, striking out seven hitters and walking two batters, without allowing a hit. Nate Pearson and Porter Hodge followed with hitless innings to register the Cubs' first combined no-hitter since 1972 at Wrigley Field.
Fans had mixed reactions on social media to the Cubs pitching staff's dominant performance in the series finale:
"Doesn’t count. Let me know when they actually do it against a good team like the White Sox."
"History made! What a performance!" praised one fan.
Awesome! The Cubs' second combined no-hitter is a huge milestone!" another fan said.
Fans remained divided on X/Twitter, with some highlighting the combined no-hitter coming against NL Central cellar dwellers Pirates:
"It wasn't the Cubs pitchers, it was the daily grind of the Pirates hitters, only the White Sox are worse," one fan added.
Meanwhile, several fans also believed the Cubs should've kept Shota Imanaga on the mound in a bid for a no-hitter:
"I think Imanaga should’ve stayed in for the whole game but this is still impressive," a fan said.
"I'm happy, but like a combined no-no ain't it. especially since shota was dealing tonight. The rest of the cubs bats came out in force. would've been a perfect game if they let shota try and close it out."
Craig Counsell reflects on taking off Shota Imanaga amid no-hitter bid
While the Cubs' no-hitter bid was intact after taking off Shota Imanaga, boos rang around at "The Friendly Confines" as the crowd expected the rookie ace to go all the way by himself.
Cubs manager Craig Counsell reflected on his decision after the team's blowout win, emphasizing the need to manage the rookie's workload as he was 95 pitches down after seven innings (via USA Today):
"It's 100% about taking care of Shota and making sure we’re doing the right thing for him," Counsell said.
While it was just the second combined no-hitter by Cubs players at Wrigley Field in more than 50 years, the Cubs have 18 in total in franchise history. Moreover, they have five no-hitters in the last 16 years with former Cy Young winner Jake Arrieta doing it twice (2015 and 2016).
Imanaga and Co. host the New York Yankees in a three-game series at Wrigley Field next, with the opening game on Friday.