Chicago Cubs News: Alec Mills’ no-hitter and what it means going forward

Journeyman Alec Mills etched his name in MLB history books and perhaps the Cubs’ playoff rotation following his no-hitter.

From a college walk-on to the big league mound–Alec Mills made history on Sunday after throwing the 16th no-hitter in Cubs’ history.

It has been an uphill climb for the 28-year old starting pitcher, who told Marquee Sports Network what he was feeling after the final out.

“I have no idea. It really hasn’t hit me yet,” Mills said. “I didn’t really know how to celebrate. Just something that came together today. I don’t think you ever think about no-hitters or things like that, it’s something I never would have imagined in my life.”

Mills pieced together his no-no on a career-high 114 pitches while striking out five and walking three. The five strikeouts are the fewest in a Cubs no-hitter since Ken Holtzman in 1969.

Last five Chicago Cubs no-hitters:

September 13, 2020: Alec Mills @ Milwaukee Brewers, 12-0

April 21, 2016: Jake Arrieta @ Cincinnati Reds, 16-0

August 30, 2015: Jake Arrieta @ Los Angelas Dodgers, 2-0

September 14, 2008: Carlos Zambrano @ Houston Astros, 5-0

September 2, 1972 Milt Pappas vs San Diego Padres, 8-0

His pitches feature a low-90s fastball and a slow breaking ball in the 60s, which is not enough to blow hitters away, but they can keep a team off-balance, which is what Mills did in the 12-0 win over Milwaukee.

These days GMs drool at the mouth when they see a guy who can throw 100mph with a hard-slider. At the end of the day, this is the big leagues, and professional hitters can still hit hard-stuff if the pitches are not executed well.