Shota Imanaga achieves feat no Cubs pitcher has recorded in 115 years

Shota Imanaga achieves feat no Cubs pitcher has recorded in 115 years originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago

Chicago Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga continued his incredible start to his big league career Saturday against the Seattle Mariners, and in doing so, he reached heights not seen by a Cubs pitcher in 115 years.

Imanaga recorded his second win of the season in his third career start, striking out four Mariners batters and allowing just one unearned run in a 4-1 win at Seattle.

The victory not only gave the Cubs a chance to win the series against the Mariners, but also allowed Imanaga to join truly elite company.

Armed with a 2-0 record, Imanaga’s ERA remains at an unblemished .000 on the season thanks to 15.1 innings pitched.

According to Baseball Reference’s Stathead tool, Imanaga is the first Cubs pitcher since 1909 to post a perfect ERA in his first three career starts, with King Cole being the last to do so. Ed Reulbach is the only other Cubs pitcher since 1900 to achieve this feat, in 1905.

Cole pitched two complete games during that stretch, but issued 13 walks compared to just two for Imanaga in 15.1 innings.

The rookie pitcher has allowed just nine hits and one unearned run so far, with two walks and 16 strikeouts on his resume.

He is then expected to pitch when the Cubs return home for a four-game series against the Miami Marlins on Thursday night.

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