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Ladner's Paxton finds his groove against Rays

Lefty record a season-high 11 strikes in no decision outing
Paxton
Ladner's James Paxton had his best outing of the COVID-shortened MLB season on Sunday against Tampa Bay.

James Paxton couldn’t turn a dominant performance into his first win of the season.

The Ladner left-hander had easily his best outing of the COVID-shortened 2020 MLB campaign in a 4-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday at Tropicana Field. Paxton, 31, cruised into the seventh inning, having allowed just one hit while striking out 11 on 77 pitches.  However, the Rays finally got to him with home runs from Mike Brosseau and Brandon Lowe to tie the game at 3-3 and end Paxton’s afternoon.

Making his third start of the season, the Delta Secondary graduate still showed plenty of encouraging signs as he rounds into form from back surgery in February. He last just one inning in his debut back on July 25 in a 9-2 loss to the Washington Nationals. He then went three innings and surrendered five runs in a 9-7 win over Boston on Aug. 2.

Paxton is poised to be an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career. He is making $12.5 million (US) this season.