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 Despite plenty to boast about, the 33-year-old rookie from Japan
showed some of the deference and modesty that is familiar among his
major league compatriots.
"I feel appreciative that (the fans) honored me even though I
allowed the home run," Wada said through an interpreter.
Wada (4-1) took a no-hitter into the seventh inning and center
fielder Arismendy Alcantara had a solo home run as Chicago beat the
Baltimore Orioles 2-1 to complete a weekend sweep.
After a two-out walk in the first inning, Wada retired 16 straight
before giving up a home run to first baseman Steve Pearce to start
the seventh, the only blemish against him -- and Baltimore's only
hit in the game.
"I obviously knew a no-hitter was going on, but I tried not to focus
on it too much," Wada said.
Wada, who spent two seasons in the Orioles system prior to signing
with the Cubs last December, exited two batters later after 6 1/3
innings.
"I feel like I let people down not being able to be a factor on the
(Orioles), so I tried to be the player they thought they acquired at
first," said Wada, whose time with Baltimore was marred by injury
and Tommy John surgery in 2012.
Chicago manager Rick Renteria praised Wada's ability to mix pitches
and attack the strike zone, and said he was prepared to let Wada
pitch as long the no-hitter was intact regardless of pitch count.
"In my heart, I would tell you 'no' -- he was going to stay out
there until he got through," Renteria said. "My mind was he was
going to keep throwing until someone got a hit."
Wada said that fatigue was starting to affect him before he was
pulled..
Hector Rondon had one strikeout as part of a perfect ninth for his
21st save in 25 chances to give the Cubs their third straight win.
It was the first road sweep of the season for Baltimore, which lost
three straight for the first time since losing a season-high four
straight from May 27-30.
"I think everybody's looking forward to getting back (home)." said
Baltimore manager Buck Showalter, whose team went 4-5 to finish
their first losing road trip of the season.
Orioles starter Miguel Gonzalez (6-7), who was recalled from
Double-A Bowie before the game, pitched well in his return to the
majors, giving up two earned runs on six hits with three strikeouts
over 6 1/3 innings.
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"I was really happy about Miguel today; he was solid," Showalter said.
Gonzalez retired 13 of the first 14 batters he faced before Alcantara's
fourth homer of the season gave the Cubs a 1-0 lead in the fifth.
Alcantara's shot came on a 2-1 pitch and just cleared the fence at the
top of the wall in right-center field.
First baseman Anthony Rizzo extended the lead to 2-0 the next inning
with an RBI double down the third base line with one out. Left fielder
Chris Coglan scored on the play after doubling to right to lead off the
inning.
Pearce's blast left the park completely and landed on Waveland Avenue to
make the score 2-1. It was his 13th of the season.
NOTES: Cubs LHP Tsuyoshi Wada got his first major league hit on a
swinging bunt in the third against RHP Miguel Gonzalez, who had been
perfect to that point. ... Baltimore manager Buck Showalter confirmed
that 3B Manny Machado will have season-ending surgery Wednesday in
California to repair the medial patellofemoral ligament in his right
knee. Machado will rehab at the team's spring training facility in
Sarasota, Fla., as opposed to Miami, where he rehabbed the same injury
to his left knee, which cost him the first 24 games of this season and
the tail end of last season. ... Orioles 3B Cord Phelps was designated
for assignment before the game. ... Cubs RHP Brian Schlitter (right
shoulder inflammation) was eligible to come off the 15-day disabled list
Sunday. Manager Rick Renteria said the reliever's status would be
evaluated based on how the he felt following the simulated inning he
threw Saturday.
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