Seattle’s Iwakuma becomes the third Asian pitcher to throw no-hitter

Seattle’s Iwakuma becomes the third Asian pitcher to throw no-hitter. August. 14, 2015 07:12. kjs0123@donga.com.

Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma, (pictured) achieved no-hit and no-run. The 34-year-old Japanese pitcher threw a no-hitter throughout the nine innings, silencing the Baltimore Orioles in the Mariners’ 3-0 victory on Aug. 13. While throwing 116 balls, Iwakuma struck out seven and walked three. The number of strikes was 77. After joining the Mariners in 2012, Iwakuma showed better-than-expected results of winning 10 or more games for two consecutive years in 2013 and 2014. With his first no-hitter, he now has a record of four and two for the season.

Iwakuma became the third Asian pitcher to throw a no-no in the major leagues. Hideo Nomo became the first Asian pitcher to throw a no-hitter once with the Los Angeles Dodgers against Colorado in 1996 and later with the Boston Red Sox in 2001. “It was the moment that I have desired since I was young,” said Iwakuma who suffered from injuries this season. "I`m just glad it`s over. I`ve had to pee since the fifth inning," Seattle manager Lloyd McClendon joked.