Hisashi Iwakuma makes history twice in Seattle victory

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.