Billy Hamilton made sure the Cubs' 100-plus-year perfect game drought will continue.
Cubs starter Jake Arrieta had his bid for a perfect game broken up by a leadoff single from Reds outfielder Billy Hamilton in the seventh inning on Tuesday.
Arrieta struck out eight batters, including setting down Skip Schumaker, Zack Cozart and Homer Bailey in order in the top of the sixth prior to facing Hamilton, who grounded a 1-0 pitch into center field to ruin Arrieta's attempt at history. Hamilton scored two batters later to end the Cubs' chance at a shutout.
Arrieta was forced to run the bases in the bottom half of the sixth after drawing a leadoff walk. He came around to score the Cubs' fourth run later in the 23-minute frame.
The last Cubs pitcher to throw a no-hitter was Carlos Zambrano, who accomplished the feat in the team's 5-0 victory over the Astrosin a game that took place in Milwaukee as a result of the Houston area being affected by Hurricane Ike a few days earlier.
The Cubs have never had a pitcher throw a perfect game. The last time that happened at the major league level was on Aug. 15, 2012, when Mariners ace Felix Hernandez notched one against the Rays in Seattle.