‘Big Maple’ celebrates Canada Day with gem

James Paxton brought his “Eh” game on his bobblehead day Sunday at Safeco Field and the Mariners brought their brooms, completing a three-game sweep of the Royals with a 1-0 victory that moved them within a half-game of first place in the American League West. Pitching on Canada Day, while the Mariners passed out replicas of the British Columbia native with an eagle sitting on his shoulder, Paxton (8-2, 3.39 ERA) allowed just two hits with two walks and 11 strikeouts over eight scoreless innings, racking up his seventh double-digit strikeout game of the season. Paxton needed to be on top of his game to outduel Royals rookie right-hander Brad Keller, who allowed six hits in going the distance.