Sports News > Chicago Cubs News

Chicago Cubs Earns First-No Hitter in 36 Years - Carlos Zambrano:

Chicago Cubs pitcher, Carlos Zambrano, is still basking in the glow of his career acheviment on Sunday, September 15, 2008. Zambrano made Cubs history as he pitched a no-hitter game for the first time in 36 years for the team. The last no-hitter for the Cubs came in 1972 when Milt Pappas shut out San Diego.

Zambrano took to the mound Sunday, previous suffering from a sore rotator cuff and crushed the Houston Astros 5-0. Cubs manager Lou Pinella initially wanted to limit the pitcher to 100 pitches his first time out since his injury, but the Venezuelan pitcher insisted on finishing the game. He ended the night with 110 pitches, 73 of them strikes.

Zambrano played the game with thousands of Cubs fans cheering the pitcher on. The 27-year-old pitcher kept a calm composure throughout the game until the very last strike against opponent Darin Erstad. Afterwards, the pitcher immediately fell to his knees and pointed to the sky, as his teammates swarmed the mound. The crowd of approximately 23,000 continually changed “Let’s go Z!” and erupted into a celebration and standing ovation after the last out.

According to an interview with Zambrano he stated, “I’m a little confused right now. I still can’t believe it. It’s a great feeling, a feeling that you can’t describe.”

In the Cubs team history, Zambrano became the Cubs 13th no-hitter. Five of them came in the 1800s. Zambrano’s accomplishment did not come without flaws. He let up one walk and hit another batter.