Fernandez’s Return Almost a No-Hitter

Showing the composure that made him a success on Chicago’s South Side, Alex Fernandez made a triumphant return Thursday, falling only two outs short of the season’s first no-hitter.

Though the former White Sox right-hander wasn’t able to hold the Chicago Cubs hitless, he did keep them winless in 1997.

“He was absolutely zeroed in,” Florida Manager Jim Leyland said after the Marlins won, 1-0, on Fernandez’s one-hitter. “His concentration on the mound was unbelievable. I was really impressed that he didn’t get flustered by the hit, that he didn’t get flustered by a couple of misplays by his infielders. It was a thing of beauty.”

Not to the Cubs, who held a half-hour closed-door meeting after falling to 0-8--the worst start in the 122-year history of the franchise.

“There was a little shouting,” Chicago rookie Kevin Orie said. “There was just a tension buildup. We were hoping to get that first win before it had to come down to this. It’s just a terrible atmosphere.”

Fernandez, who pitched for the White Sox for 6 1/2 seasons, gave up only Dave Hansen’s one-out pinch single in the ninth.

The Marlins scored the only run Fernandez needed in the first, when Luis Castillo singled, stole second, went to third on Edgar Renteria’s sacrifice and scored on Gary Sheffield’s single.

Houston 5, Atlanta 3--Jeff Bagwell went three for three, including a solo homer, and drove in two runs to power the Astros past the Braves at Atlanta, ending the Braves’ six-game winning streak.

Bagwell’s drive over the center-field fence on a 3-and-2 pitch was his first homer of the season and his first off John Smoltz in 63 at-bats. It gave Houston a 3-2 lead and pinned the loss on Smoltz (1-2), who didn’t lose his second game last season until June 24.

Bagwell walked in the first, doubled in the third and had a run-scoring triple off reliever Brad Clontz in the seventh and scored on a wild pitch by Alan Embree.

The Astro first baseman missed an opportunity to hit for the cycle--needing a single--when Brad Ausmus grounded into a double play in the ninth inning for the third out with Bagwell on deck.

Brave Manager Bobby Cox was ejected in the seventh inning by umpire Ed Montague for arguing balls and strikes.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

BESTS OF THE DAY

BATTING

*--*

Player Team Performance Team’s Result Jeff Bagwell Houston 3 for 3, double, triple, HR Win Luis Castillo Florida 2 for 4, 1 run, stolen base Win Michael Tucker Atlanta 3 for 5, 2 runs Loss

*--*

PITCHING

*--*

Player Team Performance Alex Fernandez Florida 8 1/3 no-hit innings, 8 strikeouts Frank Castillo Chicago 8 innings, 7 hits, 1 run Chris Holt Houston 7 innings, first major league victory

Player Team’s Result Alex Fernandez Win Frank Castillo Loss Chris Holt Win

*--*