The Big Maple had a big night.
Seattle Mariners pitcher James Paxton recorded 16 strikeouts over seven dominant innings against the visiting Oakland Athletics on Wednesday night, setting a new season-high in Major League Baseball.
"Sorrey hitters." – Big Maple pic.twitter.com/Y5m68vB1u2
— MLB (@MLB) May 3, 2018
Paxton needed just 105 pitches to get to 16 strikeouts, which is an MLB record.
#Mariners James Paxton punches out 16 batters over 105 pitches. The fewest pitches ever recorded by a pitcher to finish a game with at least 16 strikeouts.
— Ryan M. Spaeder (@theaceofspaeder) May 3, 2018
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The 29-year-old from Ladner, BC, demolished his previous career-high of 10 strikeouts in a game, which he's reached on several occasions. More importantly for the Mariners, Paxton held the A's scoreless throughout his time on the mound.
James Paxton's outing tonight is one of three in #Mariners history of at least 7.0 scoreless innings and at least 16 strikeouts. The others belong to Randy Johnson (8/8/97 vs. CWS and 7/15/95 vs. TOR).
— MarinersPR (@MarinersPR) May 3, 2018
Of Paxton's 105 pitches on Wednesday, 80 were strikes. Oakland batters had 30 swinging strikes against the Mariners' lefty, which is also a season-high in the Majors.
Needless to say, the Athletics were happy to see Paxton leave after the seventh inning. With Seattle leading 2-0 to start the eighth, Oakland promptly scored a pair of runs against Mariners' reliever Juan Nicasio. Right-hander Edwin Díaz took the mound for Seattle in the ninth and gave up another run, allowing the Athletics to escape Safeco Field with a 3-2 victory.