Orioles have no hits through eight innings in Seattle

Iwakuma became the first American League pitcher in almost three years to pitch a no-hitter, silencing the Orioles in Seattle’s 3-0 victory on Wednesday.

Adam Jones hit a deep flyball to center field leading off the seventh but Austin Jackson tracked it down on the warning track.

While it has been clear for a while that Hisashi Iwakuma is a fan favorite in Seattle, and that he has been one of the most underrated pitchers in baseball lately, the front office may need to part ways with him.

Seattle’s Kyle Seager made a great play on David Lough’s foul pop to third base to start the ninth inning.

Iwakuma walked Chris Davis with two outs, but he struck out Jimmy Paredes to end the threat. Baltimore’s best chance at a hit came on Parra’s groundball with one out in the fourth that almost dribbled into right field but was gloved by Robinson Cano, who threw across his body to get the out at first.

The 34-year-old retired the first nine batters of the game before walking a pair of Orioles in the fourth inning and another in the eighth. He then retired 10 in a row before starting the eighth inning with a walk to Jonathan Schoop.

He missed 2 ½ months early in the season after straining a muscle in his back and side.

Iwakuma didn’t get a ton of offensive help but it wasn’t needed. Franklin Gutierrez had an RBI double and Cano followed with an RBI single, both with two outs in the third off Kevin Gausman (2-4).

Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon said Cruz was feeling better, but the manager wanted to give Cruz two days off – the Mariners are off Thursday before starting a series in Boston on Friday.

Mariners: Seattle travels to the East Coast to open a six-game road trip in Boston.