Marlins starter Henderson Alvarez threw nine innings of no-hit ball against the Tigers in the final-regular season game of 2013 -- but he had to wait for a walk-off wild pitch to celebrate.
That's why you watch baseball. You never know what you're going to see.
Alvarez allowed one baserunner in the first when he hit Prince Fielder with a pitch. He gave up another baserunner in the fifth when shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria committed an error to allow Jose Iglesias to reach. Justin Verlander nearly broke up the no hitter in the sixth, but the ball fell a bit outside the right-field line. Verlander then struck out looking.
To finish the ninth, Alvarez fielded comebackers from Alex Avila and Don Kelly. After walking Andy Dirks, Alvarez struck out Matt Tuiasosopo swinging, then threw his arms in the air in celebration.
Just one problem.
The game remained scoreless.
That's because Justin Verlander, Doug Fister and Rick Porcello combined for eight innings of shutout ball, allowing four hits and a walk among them while striking out 13.
Singles by Giancarlo Stanton and Logan Morrison against Luke Putkonen, later followed by a walk loaded the bases with two outs. Putkonen threw a wild pitch to Greg Dobbs, and the Marlins could finally celebrate the accomplishment.
Alvarez struck out four and walked one. This is the third time a pitcher threw a no-hitter in Game 162 in MLB history, per Fox Sports Detroit.
If the game had continued past nine innings, the last time a pitcher threw a 10-inning no hitter was in 1965 when Jim Maloney, led the Reds to a 1-0 victory over the Cubs. Before that, Fred Toney led the Reds over the Cubs, 1-0, with a 10-inning no hitter in 1917.
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