Cole Hamels might not be a member of the Phillies for long. But if this was his last start for Philadelphia, the Phillies certainly got his best effort.
Hamels threw the third no-hitter of the season in beating the Chicago Cubs 5-0 at Wrigley Field. He joined Max Scherzer, who no-hit the Pirates, and Chris Heston, who no-hit the Mets.
He finished with 13 strikeouts, the most he’s had in a start since he had 13 against the Marlins in 2010.
It’s been a long time
Hamels is the first pitcher to no-hit the Cubs since another lefty, Hall of Famer Sandy Koufax, threw his famous perfect game against them in 1965.
It’s the first no-hitter at Wrigley Field since Milt Pappas threw one for the Cubs against the Padres in 1972. Pappas was one out from a perfect game before walking a hitter on a 3-2 count. He was able to finish the no-hitter.
Catch 'em if you can
Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz joined Jason Varitek as the only catchers in major league history to catch four no-hitters.
Ruiz caught both thrown by Roy Halladay (a perfect game in the regular season and a no-hitter in the postseason) and a four-pitcher combined effort last season in a game Hamels started.
Many causes for celebration
Hamels is the sixth pitcher in the past 40 years to throw a no-hitter and win a World Series MVP. The others are Bret Saberhagen, Dave Stewart, Jack Morris, Randy Johnson and Josh Beckett.
Johnson will be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame on Sunday.
How he won
Hamels featured a fastball that averaged its highest velocity this season (94 mph).
He mixed his pitches, throwing his curveball 20 percent of the time, nearly twice as often as he had entering the day (12 percent).
He also had a good changeup. Hamels’ six strikeouts with his changeup are a season high, as were his six strikeouts with his fastball.
Hamels netted 27 missed swings, his most in a start since he had 29 in a game against the Marlins in his rookie season, 2006.
He finished with 129 pitches, the second-most he's thrown in a start in his career.
The final out
Off the bat, Kris Bryant’s 394-foot fly ball to deep center field looked like trouble, particularly as center fielder Odubel Herrera sprinted and staggered back.
But Herrera was able to recover and make the catch while falling down.
Herrera is not the most adept of center fielders. His minus-6 defensive runs saved rank sixth-worst at that position this season.
Did you know: Old King Cole and Old Hoss
Hamels’ no-hitter is the second to be thrown on July 25. The other was by Old Hoss Radbourn for the Providence Greys against the Cleveland Blues ... in 1883.
Did you know II: No-hitter and goodbye
The Elias Sports Bureau notes that if Hamels is traded, he would be the second pitcher in the modern era to throw a no-hitter in his final game with a team. The other is Bert Blyleven, who threw a no-hitter in his final start with the Rangers in 1977. Blyleven was traded to the Pirates that offseason.
