South Bend Cubs pitcher Erick Leal threw nine innings of no-hit baseball Tuesday against Kane County, but the right-hander didn’t throw a no-hitter.
How, you ask?
South Bend didn’t score a run in support of Leal and actually ended up losing, 1-0, in a 12-inning game. Leal was relieved after throwing 86 pitches in nine innings, and Kane County’s Marty Herum singled off reliever Corbin Hoffner in the 10th for the Cougars’ first hit.
According to MiLB.com, after getting a groundout to end the ninth, Leal walked to the dugout and saluted the crowd, which gave him a standing ovation.
“Man, I don’t have words to explain it today,” Leal said. “Today is a big day. Today is my first time nine innings too. My second baseman [David Bote] helped me a lot today too. Amazing today.”
The Cubs acquired Leal in 2013 as part of the trade that sent Tony Campana to Arizona.
