Western Reserve grad Chafin part of Cubs' record-tying 7th no-hitter of MLB season

LOS ANGELES — Zach Davies and three Chicago Cubs relievers, including 2008 Western Reserve graduate Andrew Chapin, combined for the seventh no-hitter in the majors this year late Thursday night. The Cubs blanked the Los Angeles Dodgers 4-0 while tying the record for most no-hitters in a single baseball season since 1900. The Dodgers drew eight walks, getting at least one from each Cubs pitcher, but managed no other baserunners. Davies (5-4) issued five walks and used 94 pitches to get through six innings against the defending World Series champions in the 16th start of his first season with the Cubs. Ryan Tepera and Chafin each went one inning. Chafin lost an eight-pitch battle against Betts in the eighth inning, ending in a walk. Two pitches later, Chafin induced an inning-ending double play. Craig Kimbrel walked Chris Taylor leading off the ninth, but the closer struck out Cody Bellinger, Albert Pujols and pinch-hitter Will Smith to finish the 17th no-hitter in Cubs history — the team's first combined effort. Javier Báez homered in the first inning and Willson Contreras added a two-run shot in the sixth for the Cubs, who happily celebrated the franchise's first no-hitter since last Sept. 13, when Alec Mills blanked Milwaukee. The seventh no-hitter of the year matched 1990, 1991, 2012 and 2015 for the most in a single season since 1900. That's one shy of the record eight in 1884, the first season overhand pitching was allowed. Walker Buehler (7-1) hadn't lost in 23 straight regular-season starts. He took his first defeat since Sept. 21, 2019, ending his streak of 30 consecutive games overall without a loss. Chafin, a former first-round draft pick from Kent State, is having an impressive 2021 season. Thursday's game was his 34th appearance, and he is 0-1 with a 1.67 ERA. Chafin, who is in his seventh full season in the majors, has struck out 29 batters and walked 10 in 32 1/3 innings, as batters are hitting just .155 against him. He is 10-14 with a 3.46 ERA in his career over 375 appearances for the Arizona Diamondbacks and Chicago.