Chicago Cubs pitcher Jake Arrieta delivered his second no-hitter in less than a year on Thursday, blanking the Cincinnati Reds in a 16-0 victory.
The reigning National League Cy Young winner, Arrieta struck out six batters and issued four walks as he moved to 4-0 on the season in spectacular fashion.
Arrieta began the ninth inning by walking Reds’ batter Scott Schebler before retiring three straight. Eugenio Suarez hit a pop fly to right field for the final out and the Cubs (12-4) mobbed Arrieta on the mound.
“I was a little off with my command,” Arrieta told reporters. “I was able to keep them off balance later in the game. Pitching to contact was the goal today and I did a pretty good job of that.”
The red-hot Arrieta also tossed a no-hitter against the Los Angeles Dodgers in August.
His 119-pitch effort made him the first this campaign to pull off the rare gem.
