Jake Arrieta named National League Player of the Week
Jake Arrieta threw the second no-hitter of his career last Thursday. And on Monday, Arrieta was named National League Player of the Week (April 18-24). Houston OF Colby Rasmus took home the award in the American League.
Jake Arrieta made one start last week and it was an historic outing. Arrieta recorded the second no-hitter of his career. Arrieta issued four walks, struck out six and faced two over the minimum on 119 pitches, 71 for strikes. The Cubs beat the Reds 16-0.
Arrieta became just the third pitcher in Cubs history to throw multiple no-hitters, joining Larry Corcoran (3) and Ken Holtzman (2). Arrieta and Holtzman are the only two Cubs to record two no-hitters in the Modern era (since 1900).
Arrieta is the fourth reigning Cy Young Award winner to throw a no-hitter. Sandy Koufax (1964), Bob Gibson (1971) and Clayton Kershaw (2014) were the first three to accomplish the feat.
Arrieta notched his second no-no in his last 11 starts. And only two pitchers in Major League history have gone fewer starts between no-hitters … Johnny Vander Meer, who accomplished no-hitters in consecutive starts and Warren Spahn. There were five starts between Spahn’s no-hitters. Jake Arrieta made nine starts between no hitting the Dodgers and Reds.
In four starts this season, Arrieta is 4-0 with a 0.87 ERA, 0.67 WHIP and 2.83 FIP. Arrieta has allowed three runs on 15 hits with six walks and 26 strikeouts in 31 innings.
This is the fourth time since last July that Arrieta has been named the National League Player of the Week. Arrieta was tabbed the best player in the NL in July (July 6-12), August (Aug. 24-30) and September (Sept. 20-26) last season.
Jake Arrieta was the NL Pitcher of the Month twice last season (August and September).
For being named NL Player of the Week, Arrieta will receive a watch courtesy of Game Time.
The Cubs will recognize Arrieta’s second no-hitter in a pregame ceremony Tuesday. Jake Arrieta takes on the Brewers on Wednesday night (7:05pm CDT) at Wrigley Field.