TORONTO (AP) — James Paxton of the Seattle Mariners became the first Canadian to pitch a no-hitter in his home country, shutting down the Blue Jays 5-0 Tuesday night.
Paxton joined Dick Fowler of the 1945 Philadelphia Athletics as the only Canadians to throw a no-hitter.
Coming off a career-high 16 strikeouts in his last start, Paxton (2-1) was electric once again, hitting 100 mph with his fastball while retiring Josh Donaldson on a grounder to end it.
Paxton struck out seven, walked three and benefited from an outstanding play by third baseman Kyle Seager. With two outs in the seventh, Seager made a full-length diving stop on speedy Kevin Pillar’s grounder down the line, then slung an off-balance throw that first baseman Ryon Healy snagged on one hop.
The 29-year-old lefty threw 99 pitches in tossing the third no-hitter in the majors this year — with all three coming in different countries.
Oakland’s Sean Manaea pitched one against Boston on April 21 in California. Four Los Angeles Dodgers combined to no-hit San Diego in Mexico last Friday.
EDIT KPUG/MARINERS: Notes on the history of Mariners No-Hitters
A full list of Mariners no-hitters
Randy Johnson, 6/2/90 vs. DET
Chris Bosio, 4/22/93 vs. BOS
Six pitchers (Millwood, Furbush, Pryor, Luetge, League, Wilhelmsen), 6/18/12 vs. LAD
Félix Hernández (Perfect Game), 8/15/12 vs. TB
Hisashi Iwakuma, 8/12/15 vs. BAL
James Paxton, 5/8/18 at TOR
What this means in baseball history
James Paxton is the 2nd Canadian-born pitcher in Major League history to throw a no-hitter, joining Dick Fowler, who tossed a no-no for the St. Louis Browns in the second game of a doubleheader on Sept. 9, 1945 at the Philadelphia Athletics.
James Paxton becomes the first American League pitcher to record a 16-strikeout game and a no-hitter in the same season since Nolan Ryan accomplished this feat for the Texas Rangers in the same game on May 1, 1991 vs. TOR…courtesy: STATS, Inc.
James Paxton records his first career complete game and first career shutout.
James Paxton has tossed 16.0 consecutive scoreless innings, dating back to his start on May 2 vs. Oakland…over his last 2 starts, has allowed only 5 hits while striking out 23 and walking 4.
Marks the Mariners first no-hitter in club history to occur on the road.
Marks the 3rd no-hitter in the Major Leagues this season.
Marks the first no-hitter at Rogers Centre since Detroit’s Justin Verlander no-hit the Blue Jays on May 7, 2011.
