MILWAUKEE — Carlos Zambrano pitched the first no-hitter for the Chicago Cubs in 36 years, returning from a recent bout of rotator cuff soreness to shut down the Houston Astros 5-0 on Sunday night in a game relocated because of Hurricane Ike.
“I guess I’m back!” Zambrano hollered.
Zambrano stopped a Houston team that had not played since Thursday and flew to Milwaukee on the day of the game. The storm forced baseball to move two games of the series from Texas to Miller Park, home of the Brewers.
Zambrano, known for his emotional displays, kept himself in control until striking out Darin Erstad to finish his gem.
The right-hander dropped to his knees and pointed to the sky with both hands after getting Erstad to swing and miss. Zambrano (14-5) was immediately mobbed by teammates.
“I’m a little confused right now,” Zambrano said. “I still can’t believe it. It’s a great feeling, a feeling that you can’t describe.”
Zambrano struck out a season-high 10 and walked one in the Cubs’ first no-hitter since Milt Pappas pitched one against San Diego in 1972.
This was the second no-hitter in the majors this season — Boston’s Jon Lester had one against Kansas City at Fenway Park on May 19.
