Mariners' Iwakuma no-hits Orioles
SEATTLE -- Seattle pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma added his name to the history books Wednesday afternoon, when he became the 291st pitcher in baseball history, and the first in the American League since 2012, to throw a no-hitter.
The right-hander needed 116 pitches to beat the Baltimore Orioles 3-0, with three walks standing in his way of a perfect game.
Iwakuma (4-2) got his signature defensive play from third baseman Kyle Seager, who made an over-the-shoulder catch near the wall in foul territory for the first out of the ninth inning. After that, he got a groundout and flyout to finish off the five-pitch ninth.
"I was feeling great. I felt the fans a lot, trust me, in the ninth inning," Iwakuma said through an interpreter. "The fans deserve it. Thank you, fans."
Iwakuma threw the fourth no-hitter of the season, joining the San Francisco Giants' Chris Heston, the Washington Nationals' Max Scherzer and the Philadephia Phillies' Cole Hamels. It was the fifth no-hitter in Mariners history.
The last three no-hitters in the American League have been pitched by the Mariners, with Felix Hernandez tossing a perfect game at Safeco Field on Aug. 15, 2012, and six pitchers combining on a no-hitter on June 8, 2012.
The only other Japan-born pitcher to throw a no-hitter was Hideo Nomo, who did it twice -- with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1996 and as a member of the Boston Red Sox in 2001.
The Mariners jumped out to a 2-0 lead on designated hitter Franklin Gutierrez's RBI double and second baseman Robinson Cano's RBI single on consecutive at-bats in the third. Catcher Jesus Sucre added an RBI single in the fourth.
Iwakuma retired the first nine batters before leadoff hitter Manny Machado drew a leadoff walk in the top of the fourth. Baltimore first baseman Chris Davis added a two-out walk in that inning, but Iwakuma got out of the jam by striking out designated hitter Jimmy Paredes.
Iwakuma rolled from there, retiring 10 in a row before issuing a leadoff walk in the eighth. His pitch count reached 112 before Orioles catcher Caleb Joseph grounded into an inning-ending double play to carry the no-hit bid into the ninth.
"I was aware of it, obviously," Iwakuma said, "but I kind of felt it real deep in my heart in the ninth inning. Just focusing on one hitter at a time, and I'm glad I got it done."
The 34-year-old Iwakuma is in his fourth season with the Mariners after establishing himself as one of the top Japanese pitchers. He has battled minor injuries for much of the past two seasons and was making his 11th start of 2015 on Wednesday.
Baltimore starter Kevin Gausman (2-4) allowed three runs off six hits over seven innings. He struck out a career-high eight while walking two.
NOTES: Orioles C Matt Wieters (tight hamstring) was not in the lineup. Wieters, who had to leave Tuesday's game in the third inning, told the Baltimore Sun before the game that he was feeling better and hoped to be available this weekend at Oakland. ... Seattle DH Nelson Cruz (stiff neck) was held out of Wednesday's game but should be available when the Mariners return to action Friday. ... Baltimore RHP Chris Tillman (bruised right triceps) is scheduled to make his next start on Monday at Oakland. Tillman took a line drive off his triceps in Tuesday's first inning but was able to stay in the game. ... The Mariners' 10-inning win over Baltimore on Tuesday night clinched a piece of baseball history. It marked the first time on a day in which at least 15 games were played that all 15 home teams won.