Cubs' Arrieta throwing no-hitter vs Reds through 8 innings

Cubs’ Arrieta throwing no-hitter vs Reds through 8 innings

AP Photo/John Minchillo

CINCINNATI (AP) — Jake Arrieta of the Chicago Cubs hasn’t allowed a hit through eight innings against the Cincinnati Reds. He’s trying to pitch a no-hitter for the second straight season.

The Reds have managed to hit only two balls out of the infield against the reigning NL Cy Young Award winner. He has walked three and struck out six, throwing 103 pitches.

Chicago leads 13-0 on the strength of five homers, including a two-run shot and a grand slam by Kris Bryant. Arietta has a pair of singles.

Arrieta threw the Cubs’ last no-hitter, a 2-0 win over the Dodgers last Aug. 30.

Arrieta took a no-hit bid into the eighth inning against the Reds late in the 2014 season before Brandon Phillips doubled with one out.

The Reds haven’t been held hitless in a regular-season game since 1971, when Rick Wise did it for Philadelphia. In the 2010 NL playoffs, Roy Halladay of the Phillies pitched a no-hitter against Cincinnati.