Seattle Mariners History: Six Pitchers Combine on No Hitter

A no hitter is a magical experience in its own right, but there is something unique about a combined no hitter. On this day in 2012, six pitchers on the Seattle Mariners combined to no hit the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Kevin Millwood was no stranger to throwing a no hitter. As a member of the Philadelphia Phillies, Millwood threw a no hitter in 2003. Four years prior, while with the Atlanta Braves, Millwood threw a one hitter in the 1999 NLCS against the Padres. And so, on this day in 2012, with the well travelled pitcher now playing for the Seattle Mariners, Millwood was in the midst of a somewhat familiar experience.

In fact, aside from a fifth inning walk to the always dangerous Juan Rivera, Millwood was perfect. Rivera was erased on a double play, and through six innings, he had faced the minimum. However, Millwood also suffered a mild groin strain at the end of the sixth inning, and was forced from the game.

That led to a succession of relievers as the Mariners suddenly found themselves in a bullpen game. Charlie Furbush came in, and aside from an error, made quick work of the Dodgers. Stephen Pryor then ended the frame by striking out Rivera to strand the runner on second. The Mariners finally got on the board themselves in the bottom of the frame, when Ichiro Suzuki had a two out infield single, stole second, and then scored on Kyle Seager‘s base hit.

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Back out for the eighth, Pryor made things interesting. He walked the first two batters he faced before being lifted for Lucas Luetge. A sacrifice bunt put runners on second and third, and Luetge was lifted for Brandon League. League was able to get A.J. Ellis to line out to left, holding pinch runner Alex Castleanos at third. He then struck out Tony Gwynn Jr. to end the threat. Tom Wilhelmsen came in and worked a perfect ninth to preserve the victory, and the combined no hitter.

Despite having the worst outing of the six pitchers involved, Pryor earned the victory. Interestingly enough, this appearance was only his fourth at the major league level, having made his debut not even a week before. It would be one of three wins that Pryor would earn that year, before injuries would derail his career. For Millwood, it would be one of his last hurrahs, as he would retire following the 2012 campaign.

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Combined no hitters are a rare and enjoyable treat. On this day in 2012, six pitchers for the Seattle Mariners combined for a no hitter.