Combined no-hitter more than just a win for the Mariners

By Shannon Drayer

This will be short and sweet because once again I wasn’t there. Nor were any of the other beat reporters. First game back after a road trip is usually off for us. Crazy that this has happened twice this season.

Regardless, what a great night for the Mariners who keep it rolling with the combined no-hitter. Another big win for this young team that helps pull them together and reinforce their belief in each other. Kind of like the 21 run night in Texas. Kind of like that in reverse. The offense had their night and now the pitching has had their night as well.

No-hitter, series wins over Texas and Anaheim, win over the Dodgers, these are huge steps in this building block season. Tonight’s win is a signature win for this young group. No doubt we will see the highlights on the big board for the rest of the season. Maybe a bobblehead of the six pitchers will be given away next season. This night is theirs.

Kyle Seager came through with another 2 out rbi. Jesus Montero caught all six pitchers and managed to handle some nasty pitches from Brandon League in a crucial situation. Brendan Ryan makes a no-hitter saving play. Chone Figgins saves a run. It was a 1-0 game but a full team effort.

Congratulations to those of you who were there to see it in person.

Notes…Kevin Millwood, Charlie Furbush, Stephen Pryor, Lucas Luetge, Brandon League and Tom Wilhelmsen combined to throw the 10th combined no hitter in MLB history. The last combined no-hitter ironically enough also came in an interleague game when on 6/11/2003 Houston beat the Yankees…This was the third no-hitter in Mariners history…Kevin Millwood left the game after pitching 6 hitless innings with a mild groin strain…Kyle Seager’s game winning RBI came with 2 outs. Seager leads the AL with 23 2 out RBI’s…Organizationally it was a huge night for pitching with Erasmo Ramirez throwing 7 2/3 innings of no-hit ball and Danny Hultzen threw 8 innings of two hit, no run ball in Jackson’s 1-0 win over Jacksonville…Felix Hernandez will start Tueday’s game against the Padres. Sunday’s starter has yet to be announced…