Washington Nationals pitcher Cade Cavalli’s no-hit bid ends after 6 2/3 innings against Cubs

Washington Nationals pitcher Cade Cavalli attempted a no-hit bid against the Chicago Cubs on Thursday but was unsuccessful after 6 2/3 innings. The no-hitter ended when Michael Busch hit a bloop single to left field, past left fielder Daylen Lile. Cavalli had been perfect before that single, as he had struck out eight in his previous seven innings pitched – a career-high total.

Busch’s single was only the Cubs' fifth ball in play outside the infield during the game. Cavalli was erased a batter later on Alex Bregman’s fly out. The Cubs' Michael Conforto contributed to the end of the no-hit bid with a double-play groundout to end the inning. Abimelec Ortiz hit a three-run homer, part of a five-run fifth inning that helped Washington lead 6-0.

Max Scherzer holds the record for the last National to throw a no-hitter, accomplishing the feat against the New York Mets on October 3, 2015. The Washington Nationals have recorded two other no-hitters since moving to the city, with Jordan Zimmermann's no-hitter against Miami in 2014 and Scherzer's against Pittsburgh in 2015. This season has seen only one no-hitter in the Major Leagues, a combined effort by Tatsuya Imai, Steven Okert, and Alimber Santa of the Houston Astros against the Texas Rangers on May 25.