Shota Imanaga delivered six no-hit innings on Friday at Wrigley Field, but the Cubs still fell 2-0 to the Pirates after Pittsburgh broke through in the seventh. The left-hander worked efficiently, reached 100 pitches, and left with the no-hitter intact before manager Craig Counsell turned to the bullpen for the final transition.
By then, Chicago had wasted a strong start with another quiet night at the plate. The Cubs put runners on base, drew walks, and created pressure, but they could not produce a hit in key spots and finished without a run.
Imanaga’s Command Put Chicago in Position
Imanaga looked sharp from the start and finished with nine strikeouts and one walk over six innings. His fastball sat well, and his pitch shapes generated repeated swings and misses as he kept Pittsburgh off balance for most of the afternoon.
The outing also continued a dominant trend against the Pirates. In five career meetings, Imanaga has allowed just one run across 32 innings, with 32 strikeouts, seven walks, and only 13 hits surrendered.
| Key line | Total |
|---|---|
| Innings pitched | 6 |
| Hits allowed | 0 |
| Runs allowed | 0 |
| Strikeouts | 9 |
| Walks | 1 |
| Pitches | 100 |
Counsell said the choice to pull Imanaga was about the bigger picture. He noted the danger of pushing a starter toward a heavy workload so early in the season, especially with another outing ahead.
Pirates Break Through in the Seventh
The no-hit bid ended as soon as veteran lefty Caleb Thielbar took over in the seventh. Ryan O’Hearn opened the inning with a single, and Bryan Reynolds followed with a first-pitch, two-run homer that gave Pittsburgh all the offense it needed.
That sequence erased what had been another promising day for Chicago’s pitching staff. It also ended any chance of a repeat of the club’s combined no-hitter against Pittsburgh in September, when Imanaga worked seven no-hit innings before relievers finished the job.
Cubs Could Not Cash In Offensively
Chicago showed patience, but it could not turn traffic into runs. The Cubs had at least one baserunner in seven innings, worked seven walks, and loaded the bases twice, yet they went 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position.
They also collected eight hard-hit balls at 95 mph or higher, with four turning into hits, but the contact did not come when it mattered most. Counsell called the result frustrating because the team did many things right and still ended with a shutout.
Strong Early Form for Imanaga
Imanaga’s early season numbers suggest more than one isolated start. Through three outings, he owns a 2.81 ERA, with 20 strikeouts and four walks in 16 innings, and his velocity has trended up as he continues to refine his pitch mix.
He said his approach has centered on constant adjustment, pitch by pitch, by studying the shape of each throw and comparing it to the ideal version. Cubs pitching coach Tommy Hottovy has also said the left-hander’s stuff looks better and that the swing-and-miss should keep showing up.
The swing-and-miss was clear again on Friday, when Imanaga posted a season-high 18 swinging strikes. Seiya Suzuki said the fastball has life behind it and stressed how important Imanaga’s continued production is for the team, especially with the rotation trying to set the tone early in the season.
