Rockies Vs. Marlins: Florida’s Anibal Sanchez Throws One-Hitter

Friday night in Miami, Florida Marlins right-hander Anibal Sanchez took a no-hitter into the ninth inning, finishing with a one-hitter to beat the Colorado Rockies, 4-1.

The Rockies scored their lone (and unearned) run in the first inning. Dexter Fowler led off the game with a walk, and moved to second base on a passed ball. Three batters later, Fowler scored when first baseman Gaby Sanchez dropped a throw and Tulowitzki reached safely.

Colorado's lead didn't last long. In the bottom of the first, Marlins leadoff man Chris Coghlan drove Jhoulys Chacin's second pitch over the right-field fence to tie the game. In the second inning, the Marlins got all the runs they would need, as consecutive fielder's choices plated Scott Cousins and Emilio Bonifacio. But in the bottom of the third, Gaby Sanchez's home run gave Sanchez a bit more cushion.

Meanwhile, Sanchez was cruising. Todd Helton did line out in the first inning. In the third, with Fowler having drawn another walk, Jonathan Herrera hit a sharp grounder up the middle, but Hanley Ramirez was covering second base and easily turned a double play. And in the seventh, Tulowitzki hit another sharp grounder up the middle, this one caroming off Sanchez toward first base. Sanchez chased down the baseball, scooped it up and beat Tulowitzki to first base for the out.

Fowler led off the ninth, took a poke at Sanchez's first pitch, broke his bat ... and drove a soft liner between first baseman Sanchez and second baseman Omar Infante, and into right field; pitcher Sanchez's bid for his second career no-hitter was over.

With the game still on the line, Herrera sent a soft liner into left field, where Scott Cousins made a spectacular diving catch. Fowler didn't see the play, and was easily doubled off first base. Sanchez finished up by retiring Carlos Gonzalez on a grounder to first base.