Times wires
Friday, April 22, 2011
MIAMI — Florida's Anibal Sanchez took a no-hitter into the ninth inning before giving up a leadoff, broken-bat single to Colorado's Dexter Fowler, and the Marlins beat the Rockies 4-1 on Friday night.
Sanchez struck out nine and allowed one unearned run as he bid for his second career no-hitter before settling for a one-hitter. He walked three.
Sanchez threw a no-hitter for Florida as a rookie in 2006 and shook off the disappointment of falling shy of another.
"It was awesome to have the opportunity to almost throw again a no-hitter," Sanchez said. "I'm excited."
On Sanchez's 116th pitch, Fowler singled to right past second baseman Omar Infante. Fowler was then doubled up on a lineout by Jonathan Herrera. Carlos Gonzalez grounded out to end it.
"To see it go on a broken bat is kind of disheartening," Marlins catcher John Buck said, "but it shows how hard it is to do. It's just the way it rolls."
Added Fowler: "That was my best swing of the night, but he blew my bat up."