Watch: Seager catch extends Hisashi Iwakuma no-hitter for Mariners
An over-the-shoulder catch in foul territory by Seattle Mariners third baseman Kyle Seager played a critical role in securing Hisashi Iwakuma’s no-hitter against the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday.
With Iwakuma having kept the Orioles hitless through eight innings, he returned to the mound for the ninth having allowed three walks. Orioles leftfielder David Lough led off the frame and fouled off the fifth pitch he saw from Iwakuma high toward the stands along the third-base line.
Seager tracked the ball and twisted his body to make the catch just as he was nearing the wall. Two batters later, Iwakuma locked up the no-hitter.
• Report: Giants, Phillies engaging in Utley trade talks
After Seager’s catch, Manny Machado grounded out to third and Gerardo Parra lined out to centerfield to cement the no-hitter.
Iwakuma finished with seven strikeouts and three walks over 116 pitches (77 strikeouts). The no-hitter was MLB’s fourth this season, joining the San Francisco Giants’ Chris Heston, Washington Nationals’ Max Scherzer and Philadelphia Phillies’ Cole Hamels. The last Mariners pitcher to pitch a no-hitter was Felix Hernandez, who tossed a perfect game on Aug. 15, 2012. Iwakuma’s no-hitter is the fifth in Seattle franchise history.
- Mike Fiammetta
