DETROIT -- There was no no-no for James Paxton on Sunday as the Mariners lefty allowed six hits and a trio of runs to the Tigers en route to a 5-4 loss for Seattle at Comerica Park.
After throwing the sixth no-hitter in Mariners history on Tuesday in Toronto, Paxton didn't have quite the same dominant fastball in his six-inning no-decision. He struck out four and didn't walk a batter in a 104-pitch outing before turning the ball over to his bullpen.
Johnny Vander Meer of the Reds remains the only Major Leaguer to throw back-to-back no-hitters, but there wasn't quite as much media scrutiny and hype in 1938. Paxton acknowledged his time has been a little crazy since he made history in Toronto as just the second Canadian to throw a no-hitter.
Paxton was hitting 94-95 mph with his fastball in the first few innings Sunday and retired the first six Tigers in order, but said he didn't have quite the same zip on his heater and should have mixed in more breaking pitches in the third.
"I don't think the focus was really an issue," he said. "Your body is probably a little tired from what I went through. For me, I just have to learn how to deal with it when I feel like that. We made the adjustment in the second half of the game. I just need to be aware and make that adjustment earlier."
Niko Goodrum drove a 94-mph fastball into center field for a base hit to lead off the third. Paxton wound up seeing an 11-inning hitless streak and a stretch of 18 consecutive scoreless innings snapped that frame.
"He needed to work in all his pitches," manager Scott Servais said. "He got a little locked in. His fastball has been so dominant, but what makes Pax really, really good, he's got to be using the slider or curve, whichever is working better. He needs to get back to mixing his pitches a little more."
Paxton, who struck out a career-high 16 batters in the start prior to his no-hitter, said it's simply time to get back to business.
"It was a busy week, a lot going on obviously with the last game and everything," he said. "This week, I'll get back to work and probably be a little quieter now, and can just focus on getting myself ready for the next one."
While the Mariners are readjusting their rotation after a rainout Friday, it appears Paxton's next start will come Saturday against the Tigers at Safeco Field.