Manny Machado, Nelson Cruz and the San Diego Padres expect to be big in the batter’s box this season.
Friday night, they were a big pile of nothing.
Chicago Cubs starter Justin Steele and six relievers combined for baseball’s first no-hitter in spring training since 2017, shutting out the Padres 4-0.
The Cubs said they believed it was the first no-hitter in spring training in franchise history.
Machado, Cruz and Jake Cronenworth were among the Padres in the starting lineup. Juan Soto, Xander Bogaerts and Fernando Tatis Jr. they enjoyed the night.
“It’s a spring training game, but it never feels good to get no hits,” Padres manager Bob Melvin told reporters. “We’re not going home with a smile on our face.”
Steele went two innings.
“His training will be very good this year,” he told reporters.
Javier Assad followed with two innings. Brad Boxberger, Adbert Alzolay, Jeremiah Estrada, Cam Sanders and Nick Burdi followed with one tackle each. The Cubs claimed Burdi off waivers from the Padres in December.
Cubs pitchers combined to strike out seven and walk five.
Working under the new field clock rules, Chicago completed the combined no-no in 2 hours and 14 minutes. There were handshakes all around by the Cubs after it was over.
Report from The Associated Press.
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