Subscribe now
Seattle Mariners

Out of Right Field: Some fun facts about James Paxton’s no-hitter

Seattle Mariners starting pitcher James Paxton shows off his Maple Leaf tattoo after pitching a no-hitter against the Toronto Blue Jays in a baseball game Tuesday, May 8, 2018, in Toronto. (Fred Thornhill / Canadian Press via AP)
Seattle Mariners starting pitcher James Paxton shows off his Maple Leaf tattoo after pitching a no-hitter against the Toronto Blue Jays in a baseball game Tuesday, May 8, 2018, in Toronto. (Fred Thornhill / Canadian Press via AP)
By Gene Warnick The Spokesman-Review

The Mariners’ James Paxton became the first Canadian-born pitcher to throw a no-hitter in his native country Tuesday night when he beat the Toronto Blue Jays 5-0.

“Of all places, to do it in Toronto, it’s pretty amazing,” said the left-hander, who has a large tattoo of a maple leaf on his right arm.

Here are some tidbits about the performance from the “Big Maple” …

  • It was the sixth no-hitter in Mariners history, the fifth by an individual pitcher. The others were by Randy Johnson (1990 vs. Detroit), Chris Bosio (1993 vs. Boston), Felix Hernandez (2012 vs. Tampa Bay, perfect game) and Hisashi Iwakuma (2015 vs. Baltimore). Six M’s pitchers (Kevin Millwood, Charlie Furbush, Stephen Pryor, Lucas Luetge, Brandon League and Tom Wilhelmsen) combined for a no-hitter in 2012 vs. the Los Angeles.
  • It was the Mariners’ first no-hitter pitched on the road.
  • The only other Canadian-born pitcher in major league history to throw a no-hitter was Dick Fowler, who accomplished the feat for the St. Louis Browns in the second game of a doubleheader Sept. 9, 1945 against the host Philadelphia Athletics.
  • It was Paxton’s first career shutout and his first complete game.
  • It was the third no-hitter in the majors this season. The others were by Oakland’s Sean Manaea (April 21 vs. Boston) and four Dodgers pitchers on May 4 vs. the San Diego Padres in Monterrey, Mexico.
  • It was the fifth no-hitter pitched against the Blue Jays, who were expansion brethren of the Mariners in 1977. The other were by Detroit’s Justin Verlander (2011), Texas’ Nolan Ryan (1991), Oakland’s Dave Stewart (1990) and Cleveland’s Len Barker (1981, perfect game).