Gio González took a no-hit bid into the ninth inning for the first time in his career, but a Dee Gordon single ensured that Miami would not go hitless on what would have been José Fernández’s 25th birthday.
González walked three and struck out five to out-duel Marlins starter José Ureña, who put together almost just as strong of a performance. (By Game Score, their nights were almost equal—González posted an 85 compared to Ureña’s 83.) Ureña allowed one run off three hits in eight innings of work, with six Ks and one walk.
But on a night when the team celebrated the life of Fernández, the team’s star pitcher who died in a boat crash last fall, Gordon made sure the Marlins could claim they had at least a little something going on offense—singling to lead off the ninth inning and ending the no-hit bid.
González was pulled, and the Nationals’ bullpen took over to close things out for the 1-0 victory.