Seattle’s Paxton pitches no- hitter in Toronto

TORONTO » James Paxton of the Seattle Mariners became the first Canadian to pitch a no- hitter in his home country, shutting down the Toronto Blue Jays 5- 0 Tuesday night.

Paxton joined Dick Fowler of the 1945 Philadelphia Athletics as the only Canadians to throw a no- hitter.

Paxton, who’s from British Columbia, pointed to a giant tattoo on his right forearm of a maple leaf— a national symbol of Canada— as he celebrated to a standing ovation at Rogers Centre.

“Of all places, to do it in Toronto, it’s pretty amazing,” he said.

“The fans were great. Theywere giving me some trouble in the seventh inning, but once I got past that, they started kind of cheering me on. It was cool,” he said.

The 29- year- old lefty nicknamed “The Big Maple” threw 99 pitches in tossing the thirdno- hitter in the majors thisyear — all three have come 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.

Coming off a career- high 16 strikeouts in his last start, Paxton ( 2- 1) was electric once again, hitting 100mph 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, the former Gold Glover 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.

FRED THORNHILL — THE CANADIAN PRESS VIA AP Seattle Mariners starting pitcher James Paxton, center, celebrates with teammates after throwing a no- hitter against the Toronto Blue Jays in a baseball game Tuesday in Toronto.