Arrieta Takes No-Hitter Into 8th As Cubs Blank Reds
CHICAGO (AP) — Jake Arrieta took a no-hit bid into the eighth inning before giving up Brandon Phillips' one-out double, the only blemish for the Chicago Cubs pitcher in a 7-0 shutout of the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday night.
Arrieta (9-5) struck out 13 and walked one in his first career complete game. He was five outs from the first no-hitter at Wrigley Field in 42 years when Phillips drove an 0-2 pitch to deep left-center, just beyond the desperate dive of center fielder Matt Szczur on the warning track.
It was the third time this season Arrieta has flirted with a no-hitter.
He carried a perfect game into the seventh inning against Cincinnati on June 24 before Billy Hamilton singled. In his next outing, the right-hander held Boston hitless until Stephen Drew singled with two outs in the eighth.
Chicago gave Arrieta plenty of run support against Reds ace Johnny Cueto (18-9). Chris Coghlan capped a five-run sixth inning with a three-run double, and Jorge Soler homered in the seventh.
Carlos Zambrano pitched the most recent no-hitter for the Cubs in 2008. He accomplished the feat against the Houston Astros at Miller Park in Milwaukee, a game that was moved because of a storm.
Milt Pappas threw the last no-hitter at Wrigley Field, an 8-0 victory for the Cubs over San Diego on Sept. 2, 1972.
Arrieta retired 21 of the first 22 batters he faced before allowing Phillips' double. He issued a leadoff walk in the fourth to Billy Hamilton, who was caught stealing on the next pitch.
Arrieta has allowed two or fewer runs in 18 of his 24 starts this season. Previously, the longest outing of his career was on May 2, 2012, when he pitched eight scoreless innings for Baltimore against the New York Yankees.
In his most recent start against the Reds, Arrieta gave up six runs.
Cueto yielded six runs and five hits in 5 2-3 innings. He struck out eight.
Soler hit a solo shot, his fifth homer of the season. Through 14 major league games, he has 15 RBIs.
TRAINING ROOM
Cubs: OF Arismendy Alcantara injured his right hand making a game-saving catch against the outfield wall Monday. Alcantara, who had a wrap on his right hand and wrist, was held out of the starting lineup. "Right now, it's just soreness," manager Rick Renteria said.
Reds: 1B Joey Votto took batting practice for the first time in nearly two months as he tries to work his way back from a left quadriceps injury. Votto, who hasn't played since July 5, also took grounders for the second straight day.
UP NEXT
Cubs RHP Kyle Hendricks (6-2, 2.38 ERA), who earned NL rookie of the month honors for August, will face RHP Daniel Corcino (0-0, 5.19) in the finale of the three-game series Wednesday.
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