Six Seattle pitchers combine to no-hit Dodgers

Associated Press

SEATTLE

Mariners shortstop Brendan Ryan popped his head into the clubhouse interview room and insisted his normally stoic manager enjoyed the history that just took place.

“It’s OK to smile skip, we just got a no-no,” Ryan shouted to Seattle manager Eric Wedge, bringing a smile and chuckle to Wedge’s face.

There were plenty of smiles to go around the Seattle clubhouse late Friday night, mostly because so many had a hand in the third no-hitter in Seattle’s history.

Kevin Millwood pitched six no-hit innings before leaving with a groin injury, and relievers continued to hold the Dodgers in check until Tom Wilhelmsen closed out a 1-0 win over Los Angeles for his third save.

Seattle’s six-pack of arms joined the Mets’ Johan Santana, the Angels’ Jered Weaver and White Sox right-hander Philip Humber on the no-hit list of 2012.

The 10th combined no-hitter in major league history tied the record with six pitchers used and was the first since six Astros no-hit the New York Yankees in June 2003.

On Friday night, after Wilhelmsen got Andre Ethier to ground out to second for the final out, it was rookie catcher Jesus Montero running around with his arms in the air looking for someone to celebrate with.

“It was really fun. I was praying at the last inning,” Montero said. “It was one of my dreams. It was amazing, an amazing feeling.”

The Dodgers nearly got a hit when Dee Gordon led off the ninth with a slow roller to shortstop. Ryan, who had just entered as a defensive replacement, charged in and fired to first, where umpire Ted Barrett called Gordon out on a bang-bang play.