RESPECT THE NO-HITTER

Source: Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images North America

Quick note, Mariners James Paxton pitched a no-hitter. This guy just keeps getting better and better out there!

Hardball Talk writes:

Source: Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images North America

"Paxton’s no-hitter was impressive because all no-hitters are impressive, but his economy and his velocity were particularly impressive. In an age when even the good starters are hitting their pitch counts in the sixth inning, Paxton was parsimonious, needing only 99 pitches to make it through the game. There have been 75 no-hitters since Major League Baseball began tracking pitch counts back in the late 80s. Only 12 of them came in under 100 pitches. That pacing obviously helped Paxton’s strength, as he was able to deliver his two fastest pitches of the night — indeed, his two fastest pitches of the season — in the final inning.

His second-to-last pitch clocked in on the Rogers Centre gun at 100 m.p.h. His final pitch hit 99. Adrenaline was no doubt surging through Paxton’s system tonight, but his fast work and his willingness to rely on his defense rather than strike out a dozen or more guys certainly helped."

Photo: AP

If you don't read Craig Calcaterra, you are missing out. The way he describes things, so much different than the rest and his breakdown of Paxton last night is wonderful.

Coolest part for Paxton? He's Canadian, and he did it against the Blue Jays in Toronto.

Oh, Canada.