Alcantara takes no-hitter into 7th, Marlins blank Nats 3-0

WASHINGTON (AP) — Sandy Alcantara allowed one hit over eight sparkling innings and the Miami Marlins beat the Washington Nationals 3-0 on Monday night.

With two outs in the seventh, Josh Bell lined a single off the base of the right-field fence to end Alcantara's no-hit bid. The right-hander then retired his next four batters before getting lifted for a pinch hitter, leaving with seven strikeouts and no walks after throwing 96 pitches.

“He was electric,” Marlins manager Don Mattingly said.

Jesus Sanchez had a first-inning RBI single and Alex Jackson doubled home two runs in the ninth. Dylan Floro worked a one-hit ninth for his 11th save.

In his previous start, Alcantara permitted one run on four hits in nine innings of a no-decision against the Mets, striking out a career-high 14.

The closest thing to a hit for Washington before Bell's single was when Juan Soto smashed a shot off Alcantara’s left leg near the knee with two outs in the fourth. The ball ricocheted to first baseman Lewin Diaz, who stepped on the bag for the out.

“Once that ball hits him, you know it hit him good," Mattingly said. “I thought really that was going to be the end of it right there, but Sandy fought for that and that wasn’t really going to be enough.”

Mattingly, who said he wasn't going to feel good until Alcantara was out of the game, first had him checked by trainer Gene Basham. Then pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre monitored Alcantara inning by inning to make sure he wasn't altering his delivery to compensate.

“After I got the line drive in my leg I just said, ‘Stay in the game, it doesn’t matter what happened,'" Alcantara said. "I’m the guy who’s going to die on the mound. ... I stayed in the game and I was competing.”

Alcantara (9-13) was perfect through five innings but Keibert Ruiz...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Alcantara-takes-no-hitter-into-7th-Marlins-blank-16456619.php