Hisashi Iwakuma became the second Japanese pitcher to throw a no-hitter in the major leagues and the first American League pitcher to do so in three years on Wednesday.
Iwakuma struck out seven and walked three as the Seattle Mariners beat the visiting Baltimore Orioles 3-0.
It was the fourth no-hitter this season and the first by an American League pitcher in nearly three years.
Hideo Nomo threw two no-hitters in the major leagues after starting his career in his home country of Japan.
“I was aware of it obviously, but I felt it real deep in my heart in the ninth inning,” Iwakuma said through an interpreter.
“I was just focusing on one hitter at a time, and I’m glad I got it done.”
Iwakuma is the fourth pitcher to throw a no-hitter this season, joining Philadelphia's Cole Hamels prior to his trade to Texas, Washington's Max Scherzer and San Francisco's Chris Heston.
Iwakuma is the first American League pitcher to throw a no-hitter since teammate Felix Hernandez tossed a perfect game against the Tampa Bay Rays in August 2012.
