Chicago White Sox’s Lucas Giolito Throws No-Hitter With No Fans In Stands

KEY POINTS

Lucas Giolito recorded MLB’s first no-hitter of 2020
The Chicago White Sox defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-0
Giolito’s perfect pitching game consists of a franchise record of 13 strikeouts

The Chicago White Sox’s 4-0 victory against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday was a historic win as pitcher Lucas Giolito wrapped up the night with a no-hitter. Too bad few were there to see it.

With 13 strikeouts courtesy of a combination of fastballs and changeup pitches, Giolito cemented himself in White Sox history. This is the 19th overall no-hitter in the franchise and it marks the record for the most strikeouts of the franchises’ history of hitless pitching performances.

Despite the global pandemic, the game was played behind closed doors and the audience is replaced by cardboard cutouts and virtual fans to support the teams. Giolito’s master performance was recognized throughout the world via social media as fans reacted to such the 26-year-old's accomplishment.

There may be only 1,000 cardboard cutouts at Lucas Giolito’s no-hitter but 20 years from now every cardboard cutout in Chicago will say he was there.
— Jeff Fletcher (@JeffFletcherOCR) August 26, 2020

Lucas Giolito completed the first no-hitter of the 2020 MLB season. His 13 K's are the most strikeouts in a no-hitter in White Sox history.

It's the 19th no-hitter in franchise history, 2nd only to the Dodgers (23). pic.twitter.com/ANCQzhVAf4
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) August 26, 2020

LUCAS GIOLITO THROWS A NO HITTER @barstoolchicago
pic.twitter.com/EiWDWjBeoY
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) August 26, 2020

Lucas Giolito No Hitter Baby!! Sox really cooking now! Where you at doubters?? #ReallyLoveThisGoSox
— Frank Thomas (@TheBigHurt_35) August 26, 2020

"You can't do something like that without the whole team behind you. They were fantastic," Giolito said after the game by way of USA Today.

This was the first no-hitter in the league since Justin Verlander of the Houston Astros did it in a 2-0 victory against the Toronto Blue Jays in 2019. The last no-hitter that happened outside the American League was Tony Cingrani and Adam Liberatore of the Los Angeles Dodgers in a combined effort against the San Diego Padres back in 2018.

"I shook off [catcher] James [McCann] once all night. He deserves this just as much as I do ... It was just a really, really cool moment," Giolito added.

The historic performance of Giolito brought his ERA to 3.09, as he was able to sustain the momentum needed to cap off such a monumental night.

"After the seventh, I had six more outs," Giolito said.

The final out of the game came from a line drive by Erik Gonzalez that was caught perfectly by right fielder Adam Engel.

"Looking at who I was facing it became very, very possible. And we got it done," Giolito added.

The Chicago White Sox are currently tied for second in the AL East division with the Cleveland Indians with a record of 18 wins and 12 losses. They trail the Minnesota Twins with a 20-11 slate.