Mariners call-up Easton McGee takes no-hitter into seventh inning against Blue Jays before giving up double

Matt Chapman, who spoiled the would-be perfect game with a walk in the fifth inning, doubled off the wall

Seattle Mariners right-hander Easton McGee, in his first career big-league start, delivered 6 2/3 no-hit innings against the Toronto Blue Jays in what turned out to be an extra-innings loss for Seattle. McGee had a perfect game working until the fifth inning, when he walked Blue Jays third baseman Matt Chapman to open up the bottom half of the frame. Chapman then broke up the no-hit bid in the seventh, drilling a double off the center-field wall. 

McGee promptly exited afterward, bringing his start to a close. The Mariners replaced him with right-handed reliever Matt Brash, who retired Daulton Varsho to end the threat. McGee's final line saw him work 6 2/3 scoreless innings, surrender one hit and one walk, and strike out two batters.

The Jays wound up winning the game in the 10th inning by a score of 1-0 on Varsho's walk-off single with no outs and the bases loaded.

McGee's effort would have been the first no-hitter of the young Major League Baseball season. Other pitchers, including Drew Smyly, Eduardo Rodriguez, and Spencer Strider, have come close in recent weeks. Alas, none have been able to go coast to coast.

The 25-year-old pitcher was recalled from Triple-A on Saturday morning ahead of his start. He had previously made just one big-league appearance. That came last season, when he pitched three innings in relief for the Tampa Bay Rays. He's since bounced around the league, being claimed off waivers by the Boston Red Sox in October. The Mariners purchased his rights in November.

McGee threw 64 pitches on the afternoon, showing off a varied arsenal that included a sinker, a four-seamer, a curve, a slider, a cutter, and a changeup. He topped out at 93 mph and averaged 85 mph. He generated just seven swinging strikes, with three of those coming on his four-seamer and two others on the slider. 

Even with McGee coming up short, the Mariners have thrown six no-hitters in franchise history. James Paxton recorded the most recent one in May 2018. Coincidentally, that performance also came in Toronto against the Blue Jays. Seattle has three other no-nos since 2010: Hisashi Iwakuma against the Baltimore Orioles in 2015; Felix Hernandez's perfect game versus the Tampa Bay Rays in 2012; and a six-pitcher combined effort against the Los Angeles Dodgers in June 2012 following an injury to starter Kevin Millwood.

[Apr 29, 2023 at 4:43 pm ET · R.J. Anderson]

Chapman breaks up the no-no

In the fifth, Chapman ended the perfect game bid with a walk. Now he doubles off the center-field wall to give Toronto its first hit.

[Apr 29, 2023 at 4:42 pm ET · R.J. Anderson]

Guerrero grounds out to third

There are now two outs in the seventh inning. Still no hits allowed by McGee.

[Apr 29, 2023 at 4:41 pm ET · R.J. Anderson]

McGee in good shape, pitch count-wise

This will be his 60th offering.

[Apr 29, 2023 at 4:41 pm ET · R.J. Anderson]

Bichette grounds out to first

McGee is, in theory, eight outs away. In practice, he needs the Mariners to score a run for it to matter.

[Apr 29, 2023 at 4:41 pm ET · R.J. Anderson]

Bottom of the seventh underway

McGee has a 2-2 count on Bo Bichette.