Shota Imanaga shines in his MLB debut as Cubs shut out Rockies, 5-0

CHICAGO (670 The Score) – Cubs left-hander Shota Imanaga had quite the performance in his MLB debut.

Imanaga was dominant in throwing six scoreless innings to lead the Cubs to a 5-0 win against the Rockies on a cold, rainy Monday afternoon at Wrigley Field in the team’s home opener. Imanaga struck out nine, walked none and allowed just two hits – both with two outs in the sixth inning – as the Cubs evened their record at 2-2 early in the season.

Imanaga threw 65 of his 92 pitches for strikes.

“What he did really well today is something that he’s always done well – is he threw a ton of strikes,” manager Craig Counsell said. “With the conditions today, the walk is kind of one of the worst things you can do from a pitching standpoint, and he threw a ton of strikes. Even when he got behind in the count, he came back and threw strikes.”

Imanaga joined the Cubs on a four-year, $53-million deal in the offseason after pitching in the Nippon Professional Baseball league in Japan for the past eight seasons.

“Kind of going out there, it was clear that this is a player whose been in big moments,” Counsell said. “He’s been through this before.

“He quickly just got into competing. Like we talked about earlier, using your nerves to your advantage. It can elevate your game, and I thought it did that for him.”

Imanaga soaked in the atmosphere in his first experience at Wrigley Field, crediting the passion of the Cubs fans.

"So I didn't feel pressure today,” Imanaga said through his translator. "To be very honest, I would have liked to lower my pitch count and go into the seventh inning. So going forward I want to go out there and pitch with that in mind.

“Today I kept it the same as spring training,” Imanaga added. “I went to bed last night, woke up and went out to pitch. I didn't think about it being my Cub debut. I tried to keep thinking it's just another day. Coming in from the bullpen, the fans showed me with their cheering how much respect they have for the players. I just wanted to pay them back and pitch well.”

Teammates have been drawn to Imanaga's gregarious personality early in his Cubs tenure.

“We have had a lot of good conversations,” shortstop Dansby Swanson said. “He is a funny guy. He definitely enjoys communicating with other people. I have enjoyed that about him. He has a very professional way of going about his business.”

Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine .