MLB roundup: Cubs combine to no-hit Pirates in dominant display

Shota Imanaga delivered an impressive performance by pitching the first seven innings of a combined no-hitter, leading the Chicago Cubs to a commanding 12-0 victory against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday.

Nate Pearson and Porter Hodge each contributed a flawless inning, culminating in the 18th no-hitter in the franchise's history.

Imanaga (12-3) recorded seven strikeouts and issued two walks while throwing a total of 95 pitches for the Cubs.

This marked the Pirates' first hitless game since they faced Lucas Giolito of the Chicago White Sox on August 25, 2020.

In another matchup, the White Sox triumphed over the Orioles with a score of 8-1. Chicago showcased their power with three home runs, while starting pitcher Jonathan Cannon delivered a commendable performance, helping the team snap a 12-game losing streak against Baltimore.

Cannon (3-9) pitched 5 2/3 innings, breaking a personal losing streak that had extended over four consecutive starts, and secured his first win since August 6. He limited Baltimore (81-60), who had scored a total of 22 runs in the first two games of the series, to just one run on five hits, striking out four and walking one.

The White Sox (32-109) achieved their first victory in seven encounters with the Orioles (81-60) this season, while Baltimore suffered only their second loss in the last six games.

In the final game, the Phillies defeated the Blue Jays 4-2, with Kyle Schwarber hitting his fourth home run in two games and Cristopher Sanchez pitching seven strong innings for the visiting Philadelphia team.

Schwarber's solo home run followed a remarkable three-homer game on Tuesday. Kody Clemens contributed with a two-run homer, and J.T. Realmuto added a solo shot, allowing the Phillies to sweep the two-game series and take the season series 3-1 against Toronto.

Blue Jays right-hander Bowden Francis (8-4) allowed three runs and six hits while striking out six over six innings, coming off a strong August performance with a 4-1 record and a 1.05 ERA.

Royals 4, Guardians 1
Tommy Pham's decisive home run and Seth Lugo's impressive performance propelled Kansas City to a victory over the visiting Cleveland team, allowing the Royals to conclude the series on a high note and break their seven-game losing streak.

Lugo (15-8), who leads the league with 186 innings pitched, surrendered one run on six hits and a walk over seven innings, while recording four strikeouts. In contrast, Guardians starter Ben Lively (11-9) gave up four runs on seven hits and a walk, striking out three in four innings of work.

With this victory, the Royals narrowed the Guardians' lead in the American League Central to 4.5 games, with the Minnesota Twins also trailing after their loss to the Tampa Bay Rays.

Reds 12, Astros 5
Jonathan India ignited a nine-run first inning with a lead-off home run, while Elly De La Cruz contributed with a double, a single, and two RBIs during the same inning, leading Cincinnati to a commanding win over the visiting Houston team.

De La Cruz concluded the game with three hits, including two doubles, scoring three runs and driving in two RBIs, as the Reds achieved their eighth consecutive victory over the Astros, dating back to Houston's last win against Cincinnati in 2016. This win marked Cincinnati's third straight victory, while Houston, who entered the series on a five-game winning streak, suffered their second consecutive defeat.

The unfortunate recipient of Cincinnati's offensive onslaught was Spencer Arrighetti (7-12), who managed to retire only two batters and threw 38 pitches before being replaced by Tayler Scott. Arrighetti was charged with nine runs and six hits, walking three batters and failing to record any strikeouts.