Mariners' Paxton blanks Blue Jays to become 2nd Canadian to throw no-hitter
Seattle Mariners left-hander James Paxton threw a no-hitter against the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday night. He struck out seven batters on 99 pitches while walking three.
"Big Maple" becomes only the second Canadian-born pitcher to throw a no-no in MLB history. Dick Fowler had previously been the only Canadian to accomplish the feat way back on Sept. 9, 1945, as a member of the Philadelphia Athletics.
Paxton saved some of his best stuff for last. Staring down the Blue Jays' most dangerous hitter in Josh Donaldson, Paxton brought the fire.
Paxton's fastest pitches of the night were his final two. 99 and 99.5 mph. Impressive stuff. #BlueJays
— Gregor Chisholm (@gregorMLB) May 9, 2018
Donaldson grounded out. Game over.
.@James_Paxton’s last three pitches:
— MLB (@MLB) May 9, 2018
98 mph
100 mph
99 mph
THAT’S how you finish a no-no. pic.twitter.com/BWdmtS863U
Paxton very nearly lost the no-hitter in the bottom of the seventh when Kevin Pillar scorched a hard ground ball to third base, but Kyle Seager made a spectacular play to rob him of a hit.
WHAT A PLAY BY KYLE SEAGER!
— Pitcher List (@PitcherList) May 9, 2018
Six to go... pic.twitter.com/vvglOJz8f9
Despite the three walks, Paxton was still very efficient in the outing, managing to not only throw a no-hitter but also a Maddux (complete game shutout on no more than 99 pitches).
It's the sixth no-hitter in Mariners history, and the first to happen on the road, according to ESPN Stats & Info.
That's two dynamite starts in a row for Paxton, who threw seven shutout innings with a whopping 16 strikeouts against the Oakland Athletics on May 2. The Athletics jumped on the Mariners' bullpen and eventually won, rendering Paxton's impressive outing a mere no-decision. That wasn't going to happen on Tuesday. He finished what he started.