Paxton Throws No-No as Mariners Blank Jays

TORONTO, ON - MAY 8: James Paxton #65 of the Seattle Mariners celebrates after throwing a no-hitter during MLB game action against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on May 8, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - MAY 8: James Paxton #65 of the Seattle Mariners celebrates after throwing a no-hitter during MLB game action against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on May 8, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Mariners began their seven-game road trip Tuesday night with a bang as James Paxton threw a no-hitter against the Toronto Blue Jays in a 5-0 win. It was the sixth in Mariners history, and the first since Hisashi Iwakuma no-hit the Orioles in August of 2015.

Paxton found a way to improve from his last start, which seemed impossible. The Big Maple threw 7 innings of shutout ball against the A’s last Wednesday, including a career-high 16 strikeouts.

The Mariners provided Paxton with run support early on. With two runners in scoring position, Robinson Cano grounded out to bring Ben Gamel in from third base. Nelson Cruz immediately followed Cano’s RBI with a single to bring in Dee Gordon. The Mariners led 2-0 after three innings.

In the fourth inning, Mike Zunino muscled a ball over the right-field wall, giving the Mariners a 4-0 lead. It was his fifth home run this season.

Paxton continued to shine behind the early run support. Although allowing three walks, the Canada native struck out seven and completed the game in only 99 pitches. He is the first Canadian-born pitcher to throw a no-hitter on Canadian soil.

Mitch Haniger provided early insurance with a sacrifice fly in the fifth inning, giving the Mariners a 5-0 lead. Although they would be held scoreless throughout with rest of the ballgame, the Blue Jays were never able to make any sort of offensive charge, let alone put men on board.

The Mariners will look to continue a dominant start to their road trip, which stops in Detroit and Minnesota after finishing their three-game stint with the Jays on Thursday.

Next: Ichiro's Top 5 Mariners Moments

Wade LeBlanc will take the mound for his second start of the season against Jaime Garcia as the M’s will look to clinch another road series win on Wednesday. First pitch is scheduled for 4:07 PT.