Shota Imanaga accomplishes a feat no Cubs player has accomplished in 115 years Originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
chicago cubs jar Shota Imanaga He continued his incredible start to his big league career on Saturday against the Seattle Mariners, thereby reaching heights not seen by any Cubs player in 115 years.
Imanaga recorded his second win of the season in his third career start, striking out four Mariners batters and giving up one unearned run in a 4-1 win in Seattle.
The win not only gave the Cubs a chance to make the series against the Mariners, but it also landed Imanaga in a truly elite league.
Armed with a 2-0 record, Imanaga's ERA remains an unblemished .000 on the season over 15.1 innings pitched.
According to Baseball Reference's Stathead tool, Imanaga is the first Cubs pitcher since 1909 to record a perfect ERA in his first three career starts, with King Cole the last to do so. Ed Reulbach is the only other Cubs pitcher since 1900 to accomplish this feat, and he did so in 1905.
Cole has thrown two complete games during that span, but has issued 13 walks, compared to just two for Imanaga over 15.1 innings.
The rookie pitcher has given up just nine hits and one unearned run so far, with two walks and 16 strikeouts on his resume.
He is next scheduled to play when the Cubs return home for a four-game series against the Miami Marlins on Thursday night.
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