⏩ No-hitter: Mariners’ James Paxton tames the Blue Jays.
TORONTO — Seattle’s James Paxton became the first Canadian to pitch a no-hitter in Canada, leading the Mariners to a 5-0 win over the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday.
Paxton, a native of British Columbia, pointed to a giant tattoo of a maple leaf on his right forearm as he celebrated to a standing ovation.
“Of all places, to do it in Toronto, it’s pretty amazing,” he said.
The 29-year-old nicknamed “The Big Maple” threw 99 pitches in the third no-hitter in the majors this year — all in different countries. The A’s Sean Manaea pitched one against Boston on April 21 in Oakland. Four Dodgers combined to no-hit San Diego on Friday in Monterrey, Mexico.
Coming off a career-high 16 strikeouts in his previous start, Paxton (2-1) was stellar once again, hitting 100 mph with his fastball. He 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 diving stop on Kevin Pillar’s grounder, then slung a throw that Ryon Healy snagged on one hop at first.
Russell Martin led off the Toronto eighth with a long drive that left fielder Ben Gamel caught near the wall.
Anthony Alford fouled out on the first pitch to begin the ninth and Teoscar Hernandez struck out swinging. Josh Donaldson ended it with a hard one-hopper to Seager.
Healy pumped his fist after catching Seager’s throw, and the Mariners streamed out of the dugout, dousing their pitcher with a cooler as the crowd of 20,513 cheered.