On September 9, 1965, Sandy Koufax took the mound at Dodger Stadium and threw a perfect game against the Cubs.  Yesterday was the 7,921st game the Cubs have participated in since then, and they had managed to get a hit in the previous 7,920.  Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels, however, had other ideas.

To say Hamels, who is likely to be traded before next weekend’s trade deadline, had pitched poorly in his last 2 outings is an understatement.  He needed to prove to scouts that he was healthy if the Phillies had any hope of moving his salary and getting something worthwhile in return.  So, of course, he goes out and throws the first no-hitter against the Cubs in 50 years and the first at Wrigley Field since Milt Pappas’ controversial no-hitter in 1972.

Hamels is now likely to become the third pitcher traded in the same season that he threw a no-hitter, and may be the first to be moved before pitching another game.  Ironically, one potential landing spot is on the north side of Chicago, who placed a waiver claim on him last August.  And the Cubs will start a new streak, with tomorrow being game number 1 since the last time they were no hit.