Henderson Alvarez Fires No-Hitter, as Miami Marlins Win on Walk-Off

Sep 29, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins starting pitcher Henderson Alvarez (right) celebrates with teammate left fielder Juan Pierre (left) after throwing a no-hitter to defeat the Detroit Tigers 1-0 at Marlins Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

The final game of the season could not have better represented the 2013 Miami Marlins season than how the game ended. After 9 no hit innings for Henderson Alvarez, he had to come to the on-deck circle in the bottom of the ninth before he knew his faith of collecting the fifth no hitter in Marlins history.

In his nine no hit innings, Alvarez allowed just three Detroit Tigers to reach base, including a four-pitch walk in the ninth inning. For the game, Henderson struck out three, including the final hitter he faced, Matt Tuiasosopo.

In very Marlin-like fashion, his offense didn’t score any runs for Alvarez through the first eight innings. Justin Verlander struck out 10 Marlins in his six innings of work and the Fish had just four singles through the first eight innings.

After Alvarez struck out Matt Tuiasosopo, he turned around and pumped his fist like the no hitter was complete, not realizing that his team had not scored him any runs.

In the bottom of the ninth, Giancarlo Stanton and Logan Morrison hit back-to-back singles, and a wild pitch set the Marlins up with runners on second and third with no outs. Adeiny Hechavarria would proceed to ground out and a walk set the Marlins up with the based juiced and two outs for their new $1.7 million man, Greg Dobb. Henderson Alvarez loomed on deck, despite knowing he wouldn’t be hitting in the inning.

With Dobbs at the plate, a second wild pitch got behind the Tigers catcher and Stanton scored easily from third to give the Marlins the rare walk-off no hit performance. The no hitter was the 5th in Marlins history and the first since Anibal Sanchez, who was watching from the Tigers dugout.

While a no hitter in this age is nothing rare, the way the Marlins and Alvarez accomplished it, we may not see again for a long time.