Cody Bellinger saves Ben Brown’s no-hit bid with incredible home run robbery originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
Cody Bellinger saw action in center field during the seventh inning of Tuesday’s Cubs-Brewers game.
With Ben Brown’s no-hitter in seven innings under way, Willy Adames nailed a fly ball into center field. But Bellinger succeeded before he could get over the fence.
Bellinger’s catch saved Brown’s no-hitter, which would eventually end after the Cubs removed him from the game after that same inning. He threw 93 pitches, a guaranteed number to snatch. His previous career-high pitch count was 89 pitches.
The combined no-hitter Hayden Wesneski inherited in the eighth inning was broken up during his 12-pitch outing. Mark Leiter Jr. came on in relief after Wesneski in the eighth inning to end the frame.
As for Brown, he pitched seven innings without giving up a single hit or run. He walked two while striking out 10 — a new career-high in single-game strikeouts.
The Cubs have used him as both a starter and reliever this season. He started five games for the Cubs this season while appearing in 12 total games.
Brown similarly had a strong outing in his last start, which was also his last outing against the Braves. He threw four innings, gave up only one hit, walked two batters and struckout six batters as a starter.
This season, Brown has a strong ERA of 3.20. In 39.1 innings, he struck out 45 batters while walking 15 batters. His 1.195 WHIP is also an impressive figure for the youngster.
A no-hitter by Brown or the collective would have marked the Cubs’ 18th-best run in franchise history. The last no-hitter the franchise has seen was a combined effort by Zach Davies, Ryan Tepera, Andrew Chafin and Craig Kimbrel against the Dodgers in 2021. As for a standout pitcher, the Cubs haven’t had one since Alec Mills in 2020 seen.
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