Chicago Cubs News: Jake Arrieta throws no-hitter; Cubs drive in 16 runs

It was a magical night in Cincinnati. Not for the hometown Reds but for Joe Maddon and those Chicago Cubs who are off to an amazing 12-4 start to begin the 2016 campaign. While they drove in a season-high 16 runs behind five homers, their ace was working on something special.

You see that group of guys in the picture above this article? Those men are still the favorite to win the World Series. And who is anybody to doubt them or say otherwise? Sure, people will bring up the fact that the Chicago Cubs are the Chicago Cubs — they haven’t won a World Series title in over 100 years.

But this group is something different. In Joe Maddon’s first year as skipper, the North Siders emerged as one of the best teams in all of baseball behind the St. Louis Cardinals and Pittsburgh Pirates. Ending the 2015 campaign with 97 wins, the Cubs stormed into the postseason with one goal in mind.

Put an end to that god-awful curse that has haunted them for years and years. And they almost did. Led by right-hander Jake Arrieta, the Cubs fell four games shy of reaching the Fall Classic and sent home packing with the thought of, what if?

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After carrying the Cubs through most of the year and past the Pirates in the National League Wild Card showdown, soon-to-be Cy Young winner, Arrieta, didn’t look the same. This year appears to be different.

With a brand new one-year deal in his back pocket, he’s making a solid case to this front office that he is, in fact, a huge piece to this organization that could very well end up winning multiple titles over the next decade. Last night was yet another message.

On Aug. 30 in Los Angeles, Arrieta took center stage on ESPN against the Dodgers. Inning after inning, the Dodgers would go down quietly as the Cubs eventually gained the lead while Arrieta was dealing on the bump. Then it happened.

Veteran second baseman Chase Utley was his team’s final hope. Arrieta jumped to a quick 1-2 and got him to strike out swinging on a pitch low and inside to complete his first no-hitter. It was the 14th no-hitter in Chicago Cubs history.

Next: Arrieta throws second career no-hitter

Last night, history should have repeated itself with a strikeout but it took a routine flyball out to first-year Cub, Jason Heyward to put him in the record books for the second consecutive season. The only difference between Apr. 21 and Aug. 30 is the run differential. Chicago drove in 16 runs on 18 hits including five big flies compared to last season’s 2-0 victory over the Dodgers.

Little interesting fact, this is his second no-hit contest(15 in franchise history) in 11 starts dating back to 2015. Now he’ll get ready to work against the Milwaukee Brewers. So instead of listing a few articles, I have a better idea. Let’s all enjoy the highlight video courtesy of MLB.com.