PITTSBURGH (AP) — Anibal Sanchez pitched a one-hitter and tied his career high with 11 strikeouts to win for just the second time in his last 16 starts as the Florida Marlins blanked the Pittsburgh Pirates 3-0 on Saturday night.
The only thing that stood between Sanchez (8-7) and the second no-hitter of his six-year career was Neil Walker’s one-out single to left field in the third inning. Pittsburgh loaded the bases in that inning but Sanchez struck out losing pitcher Jeff Locke to end the threat.
Sanchez, who threw a no-hitter on Sept. 6, 2006 against Arizona at Miami, retired the final 16 hitters after walking Ryan Ludwick in the fourth. Sanchez is 2-6 with a 4.17 ERA in his last 16 starts after going 6-1 with a 3.06 ERA in his first 13.
