One start removed from a 16-strikeout show against the A’s, Mariners pitcher James Paxton caught everyone’s attention again, tossing a three-walk, six-strikeout no-hitter in a 5-0 win for Seattle against the Blue Jays.
The Canadian-born Paxton, who’s also famous for serving as a landing pad for a bald eagle earlier this season, was I suppose technically not as impressive as he was when he got 16 Ks in just seven innings. But considering his team couldn’t even get the win in that outing, this night seems a lot more special. Paxton owes it in part to Mariners third baseman Kyle Seager, who made a spectacular diving play to rob Kevin Pillar of a hit with two outs in the bottom of the seventh.
This is also Paxton’s first-ever complete game, which he achieved with just 99 pitches. He’s only the second Canadian to throw a no-hitter, after Philadelphia Athletics pitcher Dick Fowler in 1945.