Baseball player Cade Horton of the Cubs expresses his sentiments following his removal from a potential no-hitter game after pitching for 5 innings

In a closely contested matchup between the Chicago Cubs and the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday, Cade Horton, the promising rookie pitcher for the Cubs, put on a stellar performance, despite the team's 5-1 defeat.

Horton, who has been a standout player since joining the Cubs this season, started the game as the pitcher. He maintained a no-hitter until the 7th inning, when Vladimir Guerrero Jr. of the Braves broke the streak with an RBI double.

Despite the end of his scoreless inning streak at 29, Horton continued to impress, pitching five innings in total, striking out six batters and walking only once. His dominant performance since the All-Star break, with an ERA of 0.77 in his last nine starts, has solidified his position as a strong contender for the NL Rookie of the Year honor.

However, in the 5th inning, manager Craig Counsell made the decision to pull Horton from the game. Counsell explained later that the move was to protect Horton for the remainder of the season and potentially into the postseason. Horton understood and accepted the decision, recognising the importance of preserving his strength for the future.

The Braves capitalised on the opportunity presented by Horton's departure, scoring four runs in the 7th inning. They added another run in the 8th, sealing the victory. Kyle Tucker, another key player for the Cubs, was not part of the lineup for this game.

Despite the loss, Horton's performance throughout the game, as well as his impressive season statistics - a 9-4 record, a 2.78 ERA, and 87 strikeouts in his first year with the Cubs - are testament to his talent and potential. As the season progresses, fans will eagerly watch to see how Horton continues to develop and contribute to the Cubs' success.

Baseball player Cade Horton of the Cubs expresses his sentiments following his removal from a potential no-hitter game after pitching for 5 innings