Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Shota Imanaga. David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

Rookie SP ties Cubs record in stellar debut vs. Rockies

Chicago Cubs rookie starting pitcher Shota Imanaga made his MLB debut on Monday against the Colorado Rockies and accomplished something that the franchise hasn't seen since 1996.

Though the southpaw's no-hitter ended with two outs in the top of the sixth, he capped off his first big league outing in style, racking up his ninth strikeout.

Imanaga finished his outing with just two hits and no walks allowed over six shutout frames while throwing 65 of his 92 pitches for strikes. Imanaga — who signed a four-year, $53M deal with the Cubs in January — lived up to his reputation as a fly ball pitcher on Monday, inducing eight flyouts and no groundouts to go with his nine punchouts.

The 30-year-old departed a scoreless game, but his offense scored three times in the bottom of the sixth to put him in line for a victory in his first contest.

Cubs fans are hoping that Imanaga's career in the Windy City lasts longer than Amaury Telemaco's did, as the now-50-year-old Dominican went just 6-11 with a 5.36 ERA in 49 games (22 starts) across two-plus seasons.

Imanaga's career in Chicago is off to a historic start.

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