The Cubs were nowhere near postseason contention when the trade deadline came and went, but a sudden surge has Chicago fans dreaming of October once again. Shota Imanaga, with a little help from the bullpen, gave them one more reason to believe on Sept. 4.
The Cubs tossed the first combined no-hitter of the season, backed by seven strong innings from Imanaga. While manager Craig Counsell made the tough call to remove Imanaga after 95 pitches, Nate Pearson and Porter Hodge finished the job and gave the Cubs their first no-hitter since 2021 - also a combined effort.
MORE: History of MLB combined no-hitters
While the Cubs are content with their combined no-hitter, Imanaga did miss a chance at history. He would have become the third Japanese-born pitcher in MLB history to throw a no-hitter, but for now, that club will remain exclusive between Hideo Nomo and Hisashi Iwakuma.
Here's everything you need to know about the no-hitters thrown during the 2024 MLB season.
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How many no-hitters have been thrown in MLB in 2024?
There have been four no-hitters thrown in 2024. Below is a recap of each of them:
- The Astros' Ronel Blanco threw the first no-hitter of the season on April 1. The 30-year-old spun a no-no against the Blue Jays in his first start of the 2024 season, holding Toronto to two baserunners on a pair of walks while striking out seven.
- The Padres' Dylan Cease tossed the second no-hitter of the 2024 season on July 25. The 28-year-old dominated the Nationals, allowing just three walks while striking out nine.
- Giants starter Blake Snell tossed the third no-hitter of the season and first of his career on Aug. 2, when he shit down the Reds. Snell, who had never pitched in the ninth inning before the start, walked three batters and struck out 11.
- The Cubs tossed the first combined no-hitter of the season against the Pirates on Sept. 4, led by Shota Imanaga's seven strong innings. Imanaga was pulled with 95 pitches, but Nate Pearson and Porter Hodge slammed the door in a 12-0 Chicago win.
Most no-hitters in a single MLB season
The 2021 MLB season owns the record for most no-hitters in a single season.
A whopping nine no-nos were thrown that year, including dazzling performances from Joe Musgrove, Corey Kluber, John Means and Carlos Rodon.
When was the last perfect game in MLB?
There had been a long gap between perfect games before Yankees' Domingo German achieved the feat in the first no-hitter of the 2023 season. He threw the 24th perfect game in MLB history on June 28, 2023 against the Athletics.
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It was the first perfect game in over a decade. Before German, Felix Hernandez threw the 23rd perfect game in MLB history on Aug. 15, 2012. It was also the third perfect game of that season.