Anibal Sanchez had an extremely classy response after losing his no-hitter in Game 1 of the NLCS on Friday night.
Sanchez took a no-hitter into the eighth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals and got two outs before pinch-hitter Jose Martinez broke it up with a single. Washington Nationals manager Davey Martinez decided to remove Sanchez, who had thrown 103 pitches at that point.
The Nationals starter gave a tribute to Jose Martinez as he exited the mound, pointing at his fellow Venezuelan.
Anibal Sanchez was classy after losing his no-hitter – he gave a tribute to countryman Jose Martinez as he walked off the mound in the 8th #TGTNH #STAYINTHEFIGHT #NLCS pic.twitter.com/5K60pN9UxG
— Larry Brown (@LBSports) October 12, 2019
Sanchez also found home plate umpire Mike Muchlinski and pointed to him as well as another tribute.
You'll never see a guy lose a no-hitter in more classy style than Anibal Sanchez.
Turned and pointed at Jose Martinez, the man who broke it up, on his way off the mound.
Then made sure to point and nod at the plate ump, Mike Muchlinski, before he reached the dugout.
Very cool
— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) October 12, 2019
Sanchez went 7.2 innings, allowing one hit, no runs, one walk, two hit-by-pitches and five strikeouts. He benefited from a stellar play in the field and got the win as the Nats took Game 1 2-0.
