9 amazing facts about Cubs' combined no-no
It¡¯s not easy for the Cubs to make franchise history -- after all, they¡¯ve been around for nearly 150 years. But that¡¯s exactly what happened Thursday night at Dodger Stadium, when Zach Davies, Ryan Tepera, Andrew Chafin and Craig Kimbrel collectively threw the first combined no-hitter in Cubs history in a 4-0 victory over the Dodgers.
Here¡¯s what to know about Thursday¡¯s combined no-no:
? The Cubs have 16 single-pitcher no-hitters in franchise history. The Cubs¡¯ 17 no-hitters overall are tied for fourth most among teams, trailing only the Dodgers (23), White Sox (20) and Red Sox (18).
? Prior to Thursday night¡¯s combined no-hitter, the last no-hitter thrown by an opponent at Dodger Stadium was also by the Cubs when Jake Arrieta blanked the Dodgers on Aug. 30, 2015.
? The Cubs became the first opposing team to throw two no-hitters at Dodger Stadium, which opened in 1962 and is the second-oldest NL park, behind Wrigley Field.
? The Cubs walked eight (Davies walked five and Tepera, Chafin and Kimbrel walked one batter apiece), which is tied for the fourth-highest number of free passes issued in a no-hitter. The record is 11, which also came in a combined no-hitter by the White Sox against the A¡¯s on July 28, 1976. Blue Moon Odom started that game and walked nine over five innings before Francisco Barrios came in and walked two over the final four frames at the Oakland Coliseum.
? Thursday¡¯s no-hitter was the third between these two teams at Dodger Stadium -- the other two were Arrieta¡¯s no-no in 2015, and Sandy Koufax¡¯s perfect game against Chicago on Sept. 9, 1965.
? The Dodgers are the first reigning World Series champion to be no-hit since the 2013 Giants were no-hit by the Reds¡¯ Homer Bailey on July 2. Others in the last 50 years were the 2012 Cardinals, 1990 Athletics, 1974 Athletics and 1973 Athletics.
? This is the sixth time a road team has thrown a no-hitter this season, extending the record for most in a single season. Of course, some of that is to be expected given that we¡¯ve matched the modern record for no-hitters total, but this was already the most road no-hitters at five.
? This was the seventh no-hitter this season, tying the Modern Era (since 1900) AL/NL record, also done in 2015, 2012, 1991 and 1990. The overall record is eight in 1884, but it is worth noting that season was before the mound was even moved to its current distance, which happened in 1893.
? The Dodgers had MVP winners Mookie Betts, Cody Bellinger and Albert Pujols in the lineup, and still got no-hit. This is the first time a team has been no-hit with three or more MVP winners in its starting lineup, according to STATS. It¡¯s worth noting that the MVP Award began in 1931, and not many teams have had three MVPs to begin with.