Marlins Pitch in for No-Hitter

If only this had been the regular season for Ricky Nolasco.

Nolasco combined on a no-hitter with relievers Dan Meyer and Leo Nunez, striking out eight over seven innings Sunday in the Florida Marlins’ 2-0 victory over the Detroit Tigers.

Nolasco faced the minimum 21 batters, walking Ramon Santiago leading off the first and hitting Jeff Larish in the second. The runners were erased on double plays, and Marlins pitchers retired Detroit’s next 22 batters.

“It’s obviously something cool to be a part of. It’s something we do want to accomplish as the game goes on when you see you’ve got that opportunity,” Nolasco said.

Meyer and Nunez each pitched one inning. Nolasco returned from running to watch Nunez get the final two outs and the save.

Meyer said there wasn’t any talk of the no-hit bid in the bullpen.

“There’s some pretty superstitious guys in baseball, and some aren’t, but it’s kind of an unspoken thing,” Meyer said. “Even though it’s spring, it’s still a special thing to be a part of. I think it’s great.”

Leyland said it was the first spring training no-hitter he has witnessed in nearly a half-century in baseball.

“I think we have a chance to be a very good team,” he said. “I like the way the camp’s gone. I like the way the guys are competing

Detroit’s Justin Verlander gave up two hits in five scoreless innings, struck out four and walked two. Florida put runners on the corner in the first, but Dan Uggla struck out and Dane Sardinha threw out Cameron Maybin attempting to steal second.

“I thought Verlander did good overall,” Detroit manager Jim Leyland said. “He’s making improvements.”

Florida opened the scoring in the sixth inning, when Brett Carroll drove in Emilio Bonifacio with a two-out single off non-roster invitee Ryan Perry. John Raynor homered off Bobby Seay leading off the eighth.