Cole Hamels Throws No-Hitter vs. Cubs: Stats, Highlights and Reaction

If this indeed proves to be Cole Hamels' final start in a Philadelphia Phillies uniform, the left-hander made it count. The 31-year-old threw a no-hitter in a 5-0 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Saturday evening at Wrigley Field.

After the game, per Ryan Lawrence of the Philadelphia Daily News, Hamels said, "Nothing will top winning a World Series... but this is right under it."

According to Phillies play-by-play man Scott Franzke (via ESPN.com's Jayson Stark), the Cubs had the majors' longest streak of avoiding a no-hitter before Hamels' gem:

Fox Sports' C.J. Nitkowski provided the historical info behind that incredible run:

"

Last no-hitter vs. Cubs, Sandy Koufax, 1965. Last no-hitter at Wrigley, Milt Pappas, 1972.

— CJ Nitkowski (@CJNitkowski) July 25, 2015"

Even deep into the game, there was still an air of doubt about whether Hamels would be able to go all nine innings without allowing a hit. ESPN Stats & Info noted how many pitchers had recently lost their shot at history in the final inning of the game:

Hamels induced a groundout from Addison Russell to start the bottom of the ninth and struck out Dexter Fowler for the second out.

Kris Bryant stepped up next and drove a curveball to deep center. Odubel Herrera initially overran the ball but somehow dove at the last minute to preserve the no-hitter. It wasn't the most conventional catch you'll ever see, but it counts all the same.

You can see a replay of the catch below:

Hardball Talk's Bill Baer wasn't the only Phillies fan riding a roller coaster of emotions watching the play unfold:

Having an error in judgment by Herrera ruin Hamels' no-hitter would've certainly been a sour note to an otherwise great performance. Hamels walked just two batters and struck out 13. He was so dominant that Jorge Soler took out his frustration on his bat following a strikeout, per the Phillies:

Phillies fans may not get to enjoy Hamels for much longer. He has been the subject of trade rumors for years, and this may be when Philadelphia pulls the trigger on a deal to further facilitate its rebuild.

Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal reported five teams are registering some level of interest in Hamels at the moment. He also reported on Friday that a Houston Astros scout was heading to Chicago to do some last-minute first-person scouting of the three-time All-Star.

According to Rosenthal, only two pitchers in the last 115 years have had a no-hitter and been traded in the same season:

Teams have until next Friday to acquire Hamels without using waivers. 

If any of his potential suitors were sitting on the fence, his no-hitter Saturday likely allayed whatever fears they had.