Chicago Cubs ace Jake Arrieta (16-5) had one of his uglier starts of the season Monday night against the Pittsburgh Pirates, lasting 6.1 innings and giving up six earned runs to go with just three strikeouts in a no decision.
But if Arrieta wants to think of happier times, he could flash back 365 days to Dodger Stadium, where he threw his first career no-hitter against the Los Angeles Dodgers on this date a season ago. Arrieta allowed just two baserunners that night in becoming the first Cubs pitcher to complete a no-hitter since Carlos Zambrano did it in 2008 (“I guess I’m back,” Big Z told reporters).