NEW YORK — Shota Imanaga continued the historic start to his major league career Wednesday, going seven innings to lead the Chicago Cubs to a 1-0 victory over the New York Mets.
Imanaga (5-0) made his sixth start and allowed three hits during a job that included seven strikeouts and one walk. He improved his ERA to 0.78.
The 30-year-old Japanese entered Wednesday as the only pitcher since 1901 to go 4-0 with an ERA better than 1.00 and at least 28 strikeouts in his first five starts.
The Mets put two men on board against Mark Leiter Jr. in the eighth inning, before Yency Almonte struck out Tyrone Taylor and Starling Marte.
Fellow Dominican Héctor Neris made his fifth save despite hitting Pete Alonso with one out in the ninth inning and allowing a double by JD Martínez.
Neris forced Jeff McNeil to hit into a double play.
Venezuelan José Buttó (0-2) allowed four hits in six innings.
For the Cubs, Dominican Christopher Morel is 4-0. Panamanian Miguel Amaya 2-0.
For the Mets, Dominican Starling Marte 0-4. Puerto Ricans Francisco Lindor 1-0, Tomás Nido 2-0.
