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Sat. 11:14 p.m.: Phillies’ Hamels pitches 1st no-hitter vs Cubs in 50 years

CHICAGO – The scouts packed the seats behind home plate, and Cole Hamels put on quite a show. The lanky left-hander was dominant on a picturesque afternoon at Wrigley Field.

Quite the timing, too.

Hamels struck out 13 in baseball’s third no-hitter of the season, leading Philadelphia to a 5-0 victory over the Chicago Cubs today in what might be his final start for the Phillies. The 2008 World Series MVP has been mentioned prominently in trade talks as the July 31 deadline approaches.

“It’s something where you just go out there and enjoy the moment,” Hamels said. “What I want is to be successful at it. I enjoyed the moment and this happened.”

Hamels (6-7) was in control right from the start against the contending Cubs, and then got some help from rookie center fielder Odubel Herrera in the final two innings. It was the fourth no-hitter for catcher Carlos Ruiz, including the playoffs, according to STATS – tops in NL history and tied with Jason Varitek for the major league record.

“I was thinking about one inning at a time,” Ruiz said. “That’s what I was thinking – something special could happen today.”

It was the 13th no-hitter for the Phillies, who have the majors’ worst record and could rebuild their farm system with a big haul from a Hamels deal. The 31-year-old lefty also was part of Philadelphia’s previous no-hitter, teaming with three relievers for another gem last Sept. 1 at Atlanta.

Since 1900, only two pitchers have thrown a no-hitter and then got traded in the same season: Cliff Chambers from Pittsburgh to St. Louis in 1951, and Edwin Jackson from Arizona to the White Sox in 2010.

“Today was vintage Cole Hamels,” Phillies manager Pete Mackanin said.

It was the first no-hitter against Chicago since Sandy Koufax pitched a perfect game at Dodger Stadium in 1965. Dexter Fowler walked twice for the Cubs, but Hamels retired his final 10 batters.

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