James Paxton had already completed eight sparking innings, having struck out Angels star Mike Trout four times. Then with one down in the ninth of a 3-1 win, Andrelton Simmons smashed a line drive off Paxton’s throwing arm, forcing him from the game clutching his arm in pain.
James Paxton was two outs from finishing off one of the signature outings of his career.
The Mariners starting pitcher had already completed eight sparking innings, having struck out Angels star Mike Trout four times. With one down in the ninth, Paxton was barreling towards his first-ever complete game.