The Florida Marlins' Anibal Sanchez almost threw his second career no-hitter on Friday night, but Colorado Rockies outfielder Dexter Fowler came through with a single to start the top of the ninth, breaking up the no-hitter. But instead of threatening in the ninth, Jonathan Herrera flied out to left field and then Dexter Fowler was doubled off first base. Carlos Gonzalez ended the game with a ground out to first. Sanchez finished with a one-hitter and nine strikeouts.
Sanchez's toughest inning came in the first. He started the game with a leadoff walk to Dexter Fowler and then was charged with a run when Gaby Sanchez failed to make the catch on a Troy Tulowitzki ground out. Fowler reached base in three of his four plate appearances (2 BB, 1 H), while Tulowitzki on the error and Helton on a walk in the seventh were the other base runners.
Rockies starter Jhoulys Chacin allowed leadoff home runs in the first and third innings to Chris Coghlan and Gaby Sanchez in the first and third innings, respectively. In the second inning, Anibal Sanchez had a sac fly and Coghlan drove another run in on a ground out. He left after five innings.
The Rockies' reliever trio of Matt Belisle, Felipe Paulino and Franklin Morales held the Marlins off the board for the final three innings of the game.
The Rockies (13-6) resume this series on Saturday night at 5:10 p.m. MT. Jason Hammel will throw against Javier Vazquez.