Jake Arrieta Pitches a No-Hitter for the Chicago Cubs

Jake Arrieta pitched a no-hitter on Sunday night as the Chicago Cubs beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 2-0 in Dodger Stadium. The L.A. crowd delivered a round of applause in appreciation for the foe who accomplished one of baseball’s most fantastic feats.

Arrieta, who notched his 17th victory, is the first Cubs pitcher to throw a no-hitter in seven years, when Carlos Zambrano pitched one on Sept. 14, 2008, against the Houston Astros. Arrieta, 29, is the first pitcher to reach 17 wins this season. This is Arrieta’s first no-hitter and the 14th in Cubs history.

As soon as the win was in the books, his teammates mobbed him on the mound. After the game, Arrieta shared the moment with his son Cooper and wife Brittany.

“It went by so quick, really,” Arrieta told reporters afterward. “Feels like that could have been five innings the way that played out. ... Kind of speechless right now.”

Arrieta’s no-hitter just adds to the special feelings surrounding the Cubs this year, as the team is very much in the wildcard race for a spot in the playoffs.

Arrieta struck out 12 batters on 116 pitches. In the ninth inning, he struck out all three batters. One base runner reached first in the third inning on an error. Arrieta walked another batter in the seventh inning.

Since 1901, marking the modern era of pro baseball, 249 no hitters have been achieved in Major League Baseball, according to MLB.com, and 293 in the history of pro baseball.