|
 Right fielder Nate Schierholtz hit a two-run homer for the Cubs,
who won for the fourth time in 10 games.
Arrieta allowed just one baserunner, on a fifth-inning walk, and
struck out 10 before shortstop Stephen Drew singled with two outs in
the eighth to break up the gem.
It was the second time in as many starts that Arrieta (5-1) flirted
with history. He took a perfect game into the seventh inning against
the Cincinnati Reds on June 24.
He was looking to become the fourth pitcher this season and second
in six days to toss a no-hitter. San Francisco's Tim Lincecum held
the San Diego Padres hitless Wednesday, joining the Los Angeles
Dodgers' Josh Beckett and Clayton Kershaw.
The Red Sox haven't been no-hit since current Cubs pitching coach
Chris Bosio accomplished the feat against them on April 22, 1993.
Drew ensured it wouldn't happen again.
After getting first baseman Mike Napoli looking at a fastball to
start the eighth and inducing third baseman Xander Bogaerts to fly
out to center, Arrieta ran the count to 2-2 against Drew. The
veteran shortstop lined a fastball into right field that ended
Arrieta's bid and his night.
The 28-year-old twice tipped his cap during a standing ovation from
the Fenway faithful as he walked toward the dugout.
Reliever Pedro Strop came on and got center fielder Mookie Betts to
fly out on the first pitch, and Hector Rondon allowed one hit in the
ninth for his 10th save of the year.
Arrieta started the season on the disabled list due to right
shoulder tightness and didn't make his first start of the year until
May 3. He hadn't thrown more than 105 pitches in any of his 10
starts this season before he fired 120 on Monday.
Arrieta breezed through Boston's lineup early, retiring the first 13
batters he faced before walking Napoli in the fifth. He got Bogaerts
to line out to left and struck out Drew to keep the no-no intact.
After requiring just 10 pitches to retire the side in the sixth,
Arrieta needed only 13 to cruise through the seventh, striking out
left fielder Daniel Nava and second baseman Dustin Pedroia before
designated hitter David Ortiz grounded weakly into the shift.
[to top of second column] |
Boston right-hander Jake Peavy (1-7) allowed two runs on five hits
over six innings, striking out seven and walking two while dropping
his seventh straight decision. The right-hander hasn't won since
April 25, a span of 12 starts.
After yielding two hits in the first and a double to Schierholtz in
the second, Peavy settled down and retired seven straight before
walking catcher Welington Castillo with two outs in the fourth.
Schierholtz drove the next pitch into Boston's bullpen for his
fourth homer of the year and a 2-0 Chicago lead.
NOTES: This is just the second-ever regular-season series at Fenway
Park, and fourth regular-season series overall, between the Red Sox
and Cubs. The teams also met in Boston for three games May 20-22,
2011. ... Boston CF Mookie Betts played his first game at Fenway
Park after making his major league debut Sunday against the New York
Yankees. ... Boston, which began a 10-game, 11-day homestand,
entered a game at Fenway with a winning record at home (20-19) for
the first time all season. ... ... Boston 2B Dustin Pedroia started
a nifty inning-ending double play in the fifth, gloving a grounder
by DH Ryan Sweeney before flipping the ball out of his glove to SS
Stephen Drew, who fired to first to get Sweeney. ... Cubs CF Junior
Lake broke his bat over his knee after going down swinging to end
the fourth.
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