Canadian James Paxton throws no-hitter against Blue Jays in Toronto

May 9 2018, 8:32 am

What a night for the man they call “Big Maple.”

Ladner, BC’s James Paxton pitched the game of his life on Tuesday, throwing a no-hitter against the Blue Jays in Toronto on Tuesday.

Paxton, who walked three batters and struck-out seven on just 99 pitches, becomes just the second Canadian to ever throw a no-hitter. He joins Toronto’s Dick Fowler, who threw a no-hitter for the Philadelphia Athletics in 1945. Paxton is also just the sixth pitcher to throw no-hitter in Seattle Mariners history.

Fans at Rogers Centre gave Paxton a standing ovation after the final out, recognizing the achievement by a fellow Canadian, as his Mariners teammates mobbed him on the mound.

Paxton acknowledged the fans, pointing to his maple leaf tattoo on his forearm.

“It’s very special,” said Paxton, describing what it meant to get a no-hitter in Canada to Sportsnet’s Hazel Mae. “I can’t think of a better place to have done it. In Canada, the Canadian fans, it means a lot.”

The 29-year-old leftie came into his own last year, finishing the season with a 12-5 record and a 2.98 ERA in 24 starts.

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