Nats Can't Break Out Brooms, Sanchez Flirts With No-No
No sweep for the Washington Nationals (16-18) after an 8-0 trumping at the hands of the Florida Marlins (20-13) Sunday afternoon in Miami.
- Anibal Sanchez started for the Marlins and was nearly unhittable, striking out a career high 11 and carried a no-hitter into the top of the seventh before a Laynce Nix single ended his chance for a second career no-hitter. The Florida Marlins have now taken four no-hitters into the seventh inning this season, two by Sanchez and two by Josh Johnson.
- Sanchez also got help by his teammates which included an impressive catch by Mike Stanton in foul territory as he had his legs taken out from underneath running into the side wall.
- Livan Hernandez had a day to forget going five innings allowing eight hits and six runs, all earned.
- Gaby Sanchez, who had Hernandez’ number all day, made his mother proud by collecting two doubles, a single, and hit a three-run home run in the bottom of the fifth making it a 6-0 game.
- Greg Dobbs continues to rake in a Marlins uniform collecting three hits and two RBI.
- Todd Coffey came in relief for Hernandez and nearly injured himself as he contorted his body trying to field an Omar Infante ground ball. Not going to lie, it was quite amusing to watch.
- Brian Broderick followed the next inning allowing a leadoff double to Chris Coghlan, a single to Gaby Sanchez, followed by a Mike Stanton RBI single, which was originally ruled an error to Alex Cora.
- Henry Rodriquez then pitched the 8th and struggled to say the least, walking three batters and allowing a run on a wild pitch.
- Matt Stairs came up in the top of the 8th with two on and struck out swinging. Stairs in now batting .056 on the year.
- The Nationals now travel to Atlanta for a three game set against the Braves. Jason Marquis (3-1, 3.66 ERA) will take the mound against Tim Hudson (4-2, 2.86) on Tuesday.
Ugly game all around for the Nationals as Sanchez was in complete control all afternoon. The only logical reason for taking Sanchez out after seven innings of play was because of his 117-pitch count, 80 of which he threw for strikes. I realize that the Nats didn’t have their “varsity squad” out there but still, they couldn’t muster any rhythm or momentum at the plate, no matter who was on the mound. Time to put this game behind us, have a relaxing off day, and be ready to play on Tuesday.
