Shota Imanaga dominated for seven innings against the Red Sox, with a season ERA of 1.78 since his return from injury.

In his first game after the All-Star break, Chicago Cubs' Japanese pitcher Shota Imanaga pitched seven scoreless innings, supported by his teammates who hit five home runs. The Cubs ultimately defeated the Boston Red Sox 6-0 at home, marking their fourth consecutive win, and Imanaga secured his seventh victory of the season (with three losses).

Imanaga threw 96 pitches, the second most in a game this season, completing seven innings for the second consecutive outing, recording five strikeouts and one walk while allowing five hits. Although he allowed a double hit right at the start of the game and faced runners on second base with two outs in both the second and seventh innings, he managed to escape without conceding any runs.

This performance lowered Imanaga's ERA for the season to 2.40. Currently, Zack Wheeler, who ranks third in the National League with an ERA of 2.36, has been healthy, while Imanaga has been sidelined for an extended period due to a hamstring injury from May to June, resulting in insufficient innings pitched to qualify for the leaderboard. However, it is evident that he has been in excellent form when healthy this year. Since returning at the end of June, he has made five appearances, pitching 30.1 innings, with 19 strikeouts and three walks, maintaining an ERA of 1.78.

The Cubs' lineup recorded 11 hits, with Michael Busch, Kyle Tucker, Matt Shaw, Pete Crow-Armstrong, and Ian Happ each hitting a home run. Additionally, they scored a run in the second inning with a walk, a hit, and a sacrifice fly, ultimately defeating the Red Sox 6-0.

In this game, aside from Imanaga, there were also two Japanese hitters. Seiya Suzuki of the Cubs, who is in contention for the National League RBI title, went 0-for-4 today. Red Sox player Masataka Yoshida had two hits in four at-bats, both against Imanaga in three at-bats, but was unable to help the Red Sox score.