Chicago Cubs first ever perfect game bid ended in unbelievable clash

Drew Smyly was sensational. Through seven innings he confounded, flustered, and frustrated the Los Angeles Dodgers. His knuckle curve was mixed in with fastballs and 21 batters were retired in order offering the Chicago Cubs their first sniff of a perfect game in their 146-year history.

The Cubs have only had 18 no-hitters thrown wearing their colors, the last one to take place in Wrigley was all the way back in 1972 by Milt Pappas.

But Smyly gave the crowd at Wrigley a glimmer of hope as the game moved to the eighth inning. David Peralta led off with a dribbler up the third base side, just on the grass; more of a swinging bunt. As catcher Yan Gomes raced out to field it, Smyly charged off the mound and got there first.

In a bizarre twist, Gomes tried to avoid the pitcher by zigging instead of zagging, moving to the mound side of him rather than toward foul territory. In the confusion, Gomes wound up leaping on Smyly’s back, with the pitcher collapsing under his weight.

And with that, the most improbable of infield hits, the perfect game bid was over. Smyly stayed in the game for two more batters, retiring them both and ending on a James Outman strikeout before being replaced by closer Jeremiah Estrada. The Wrigley crowd showed their appreciation with rapturous applause as Smyly made his exit.

On the other side of the score sheet, the Cubs offense was dominant, with Cody Bellinger, Trey Mancini, Nico Hoerner, and Patrick Wisdom all hitting home runs as the Dodgers were trounced 13-0. Smyly finished this outstanding day with 10 strikeouts and no walks as the Cubs improve to just two games out in the NL Central.