Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (6/24/21): Cubs 4, Dodgers 0 – Cubs Combine for Historic No-No in L.A.

On Thursday night, the Cubs did something they’ve never done before in the history of their franchise by throwing a combined no-hitter against the Dodgers in Los Angeles, winning 4-0.

Zach Davies started the no-no party off by going six innings and working into and out of trouble early on. Despite five walks, Davies was, quite obviously, tough to hit and relied on that changeup to keep the Dodgers off-balance. Once he was done, it was the usual late-inning recipe that preserved the historic no-hitter, as Ryan Tepera, Andrew Chafin, and then Craig Kimbrel slammed the door on any Dodger chance of sniffing a hit in the last couple innings.

On offense, Javier Báez provided more than enough for the Cubs pitchers in the top of the 1st, destroying a Walker Buehler offering to put the Cubs up 1-0. Willson Contreras would make it a 3-0 ballgame on a bomb to left field in the top of the 6th after Kris Bryant had walked, giving the Cubs a little cushion in a tight game.

The Cubs would add on one more insurance run in the 7th when Jake Marisnick smacked one the other way for an RBI single to plate Jason Heyward.

What a night and what a celebration for a bullpen that has been dominant the last two months to come in and preserve Davies’ no-no. (Box Score)

Why the Cubs Won

Well, when you don’t give up any hits in a game, you’ve got a good chance to win the game. And that’s exactly what happened!

Key Moment

Báez hit a 1st inning bomb to center and that’s all they’d need to win this one.

Stats That Matter

• After giving up seven hits and eight runs in six innings to Miami in his last start, Davies went six innings and gave up no hits or runs, although he did have five walks to go along with four strikeouts.
• Cubs pitchers walked eight Dodgers but allowed zero hits. You don’t see that every day.
• Time of the game: 3:12. I’ll just leave that there. Sorta Cool.
• This was the first-ever combined no-no in team history; apropos, given how dominant the pen has been this year.

Bottom Line

What a way to start a four-game series in Los Angeles without Kyle Hendricks going. Oh, and the Cubs are back in first place.

On Deck

The Cubs continue their series at Chavez Ravine on Friday night as David Ross hands the ball to a struggling Jake Arrieta. The bearded former ace will face righty Tony Gonsolin in another late night game with the game starting at 9:10pm CT. Marquee and 670 The Score will carry the game if you can stay up late on Friday night.