10-year Marliniversary: Fernández outduels Wood in 1-0 win over Braves

[Mike Ferguson]

On this day 10 years ago, José Fernández was near flawless as the Miami Marlins beat the Atlanta Braves, 1-0.

During his time with the Miami Marlins, José Fernández was rarely the beneficiary of a lot of run support. That, however, didn't stop the young right-hander from finishing with a winning record in each of his four years.

On this day 10 years ago, Fernández was exceptional. In a pitchers' duel, Fernández outdueled Alex Wood as Miami edged the Atlanta Braves, 1-0.

The Marlins were looking to even the series as they arrived at Turner Field for the middle game of a three-game set on April 22, 2014. Both pitchers would go eight innings but a fourth-inning run was the difference.

After Giancarlo Stanton doubled to open the fourth off Wood, Casey McGehee drove him home with an RBI single one pitch later. That was all Fernández would need.

Over his eight innings, Fernández allowed just three hits and no walks while tying a career-high with 14 strikeouts. In the fifth, Fernández struck out the side on just 13 pitches.

The Miami starter fanned Justin Upton, Evan Gattis, and Dan Uggla each three times. The Braves were able to place just two runners in scoring position throughout the night. Wood was almost as good, yielding just a run on four hits with no walks while striking out 11.

After Fernández finished his day with 109 pitches, closer Steve Cishek was able to seal the deal. Following a pair of groundouts to open the bottom of the ninth, Cishek channeled his inner-Fernández and struck out Freddie Freeman to end the game. It was Freeman's third strikeout of the day.

Fernández's 2014 season would be cut short to injury that required Tommy John surgery. He returned in the middle of the 2015 season before putting together a second All-Star campaign in 2016.

Fernández died tragically in a 2016 boating incident, but his legacy lives on. Over his four seasons with the Marlins, he posted a 38-17 career record. Two of those wins were 1-0 victories. The first came in Atlanta on this day a decade ago. 

View full article