10-year Marliniversary: Fernández throws gem in final game of MLB career

Nearly a decade after his passing, José Fernández’s death in a boating accident that killed him and two others remains a tragedy that, by all accounts, could have been avoided. One thing that the 6-foot-3, 240-pound right-hander left behind, however, was great memories for baseball fans.

On this day 10 years ago, Fernández took the mound for the final time and he did not disappoint. Over eight innings, Fernández allowed just three hits in the Miami Marlins’ 1-0 win over the Washington Nationals.

Already the owner of the Marlins’ single-season strikeout record as he took the hill at Marlins Park on Sept. 20, 2016, Fernández was able to work around a one-out double by Washington’s Stephen Drew in the top of the first. Fernández avoided damage by retiring Bryce Harper and Anthony Rendon, which began a streak of 19 straight retired batters for the Miami starter.

As good as Fernández was, however, Washington’s Tanner Roark was about as good for most of the night. For 5 2/3 innings, Roark had kept the Marlins off the scoreboard and held to just two hits. In the bottom of the sixth, he made his only critical mistake of the night.

Facing Giancarlo Stanton, Roark was able to get ahead with a first pitch that was fouled off. But his second pitch was up in the zone, and Stanton went the other way and over the wall in right field for the go-ahead home run.

Up 1-0, that’s all the offense that Fernández would need. In the top of the eighth, the Nationals made their biggest threat of the night, but Fernández was left in to put out the fire.

After striking out Clint Robinson to open the frame, Fernández surrendered consecutive singles to Wilson Ramos and Brian Goodwin. With runners at the corners and one out, Fernández dug deep and struck out Danny Espinosa swinging. He was then able to get Daniel Murphy to ground out to end the inning and Fernández’s evening.

On 111 pitches, Fernández allowed just the three hits without yielding a walk. He finished the night with 12 strikeouts.

In the top of the ninth, David Phelps was able to finish what Fernández started. After yielding a one-out single to Drew, Phelps fanned Harper and then got Rendon to ground out to end the contest and collect the save.

Over four seasons, Fernández was a two-time All-Star and finished with a 38-17 record and splendid 2.58 ERA. His final start was an absolute gem. It came on this day a decade ago.