Shota Imanaga outperformed Corbin Burnes in a matchup featuring All-Star pitchers, and Christopher Morel hit a home run to help the Chicago Cubs defeat the Baltimore Orioles 4-0 on Wednesday night.
Imanaga (8-2) pitched six innings, allowing six hits while striking out six and walking one. The Orioles struggled, going 0 for 9 with runners in scoring position against the left-handed rookie.
“They have some really good hitters,” Imanaga said with the help of an interpreter. “And facing Corbin Burnes, there’s a lot I can learn from him.”
Imanaga becomes the first Cubs rookie since Kris Bryant in 2015 to be selected for the All-Star Game, and the first Japanese-born Cub since Kosuke Fukudome in 2018.
Burnes (9-4) gave up three runs and nine hits over six innings, with no walks and five strikeouts. He is set to attend his fourth All-Star Game next week, his first with Baltimore.
Despite Burnes’ solid performance, Chicago managed to score enough runs to secure the win.
“We executed well,” said Cubs manager Craig Counsell. “Mo made a big impact with his home run, and we put together a couple of key rallies. Burnes is a tough pitcher. Getting three runs off him was crucial, and our pitching was excellent.”
The Cubs, who arrived with a record of 3-10-1 in road series, now have the opportunity to sweep the AL East-leading Orioles in their three-game series on Thursday night.
Morel gave Chicago a 1-0 lead with his 16th home run of the season in the second inning. The next two batters singled, and Nico Hoerner added an RBI single.
In the fifth inning, Michael Busch doubled and scored on a single by Seiya Suzuki to extend the Cubs’ lead to 3-0.
Baltimore threatened in the sixth inning, placing runners on second and third with one out. However, Imanaga finished his impressive outing by striking out Austin Hays and Jorge Mateo to preserve the shutout.
