Edinson Volquez‘ first season with the Miami Marlins has not gone as planned, as he has struggled throughout most of this season. That is, until today, when he dominated the Arizona Diamondbacks to throw the first no hitter of the 2017 campaign.
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One could forgive Edinson Volquez if he took the mound for the Miami Marlins today with a heavy heart. Today would have Yordano Ventura‘s 26th birthday, a player who essentially became Volquez’ little brother during their time together on the Kansas City Royals. When he was tragically killed in a car accident this offseason, Volquez was one of the people to ride in the truck carrying Ventura’s casket to his final resting place.
So, if Volquez took the mound thinking of his former teammate, it would be understandable. If so, then Volquez had the game of his life as he honored his fallen friend, throwing the first no hitter of the 2017 season in the Marlins 3-0 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Volquez was in command for the entire game. He issued only two walks, striking out ten while throwing only 98 pitches. Volquez also finished the game in style, striking out the side in the ninth inning on just 12 pitches. He also faced the minimum 27 batters, as both walks were erased on double plays.
The Marlins provided Volquez with more than enough offense. Justin Boar’s one out base hit in the fourth plated Giancarlo Stanton with the first run of the game. In the eighth, Marcell Ozuna had an RBI single, and Boar followed with a run scoring double to provide the final margin of victory.
As it turns out, Ventura was certainly on Volquez’ mind during the game. Afterwards, in his post game press conference, he dedicated the no hitter to the memory of his fallen comrade, as well as former Marlins star Jose Fernandez. Both talented pitchers, who were taken away before their time, received one of the more fitting tributes that Volquez could have provided.
In his postgame TV interview, Ed Volquez dedicated his no-hitter to Jose Fernandez and Yordano Ventura, who would have turned 26 today: pic.twitter.com/KwGsILhqtT
— Rustin Dodd (@rustindodd) June 3, 2017
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The baseball gods were certainly smiling down on Edinson Volquez and the Miami Marlins today. On what would have been his friend’s 26th birthday, Volquez gave Yordano Ventura the ultimate tribute, firing his first career no hitter.