A former Kelowna Falcon has a permanent place in Major League Baseball history.
James Paxton, 29, became just the second Canadian-born pitcher ever to throw a no-hitter, as the Seattle Mariners shutout the Toronto Blue Jays 5-0 Tuesday night at the Rogers Centre.
.@James_Paxton‘s last three pitches:
98 mph
100 mph
99 mphTHAT’S how you finish a no-no. pic.twitter.com/BWdmtS863U
— MLB (@MLB) May 9, 2018
Toronto-born Dick Fowler was the first Canadian to toss no-hitter for the Philadelphia Athletics in 1945. Paxton, however, was the first Canadian-born player to accomplish the feat on Canadian soil.
“It was definitely special to do in Canada,” Paxton told the Associated Press. “Having talked to all the people I’ve talked to since the game, just the ability they had to watch the game because it was in Canada, was really special.
“I got all kinds of text messages and videos of people watching the last out and stuff. It was pretty amazing.”
Paxton, from Ladner, walked three and struck out seven in the first complete game of his career.
The 6-foot-4, 235-pound Paxton pitched for the Falcons during the 2007 West Coast League season.
Falcons open June 1…
The Falcons will launch the 2018 West Coast League season Friday, June 1 at home to the Bellingham Bells. First pitch is 6:35 p.m. at Elks Stadium.
Bryan Donahue is back for his third season as field manager for the Falcons who will play this season in the North Division, with the Bells, Yakima Valley, Victoria, Wenatchee and Port Angelis.
For more information, on the Falcons’ shedule and tickets, see kelownafalcons.com
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