MIAMI (Reuters) - Anibal Sanchez narrowly missed his second career no-hitter as he drove the Florida Marlins to a 4-1 win over the Colorado Rockies Friday.
"Everything was working today," said Sanchez. "In my last start, I saw my velocity was good.
"I know I am throwing harder than last year. I'm feeling it right now. I'm using my breaking ball for strikeouts."
Sanchez's bid ended with a broken bat single by Dexter Fowler at the start of the ninth inning.
"I was swinging at bad pitches and had fouled one ball back in four (at-bats)," Fowler said.
"He had some good stuff tonight. I got some good wood on it. I would say that was my best swing but he blew my bat up."
The Venezuelan-born Sanchez, who threw a no-hitter in 2006 against the Arizona Diamondbacks, struck out nine and walked three in the win.
Colorado (13-6) scored their run in the first inning as Fowler led off with a walk, advanced to second on a pass ball, and scored on a fielding error by first baseman Gaby Sanchez with two outs.
Chris Coghlan hit a solo home run in the first inning and drove in a run in the second inning to lead the Marlins (12-6) offense.
Anibal Sanchez also proved useful with the bat with his squeeze bunt allowing Scott Cousins to score in the second inning.
With Gaby Sanchez atoning for his fielding error with a solo home run in the third to complete the scoring.
(Reporting by Mike Mouat in Windsor, Ontario; Editing by Alastair Himmer)
Fox News First
Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox.
By entering your email and clicking the Subscribe button, you agree to the Fox News Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, and agree to receive content and promotional communications from Fox News. You understand that you can opt-out at any time.