The Marlins had just beaten the Brewers 3-0 and Scott Olsen was walking into the clubhouse when he spotted a group of reporters.
''So close,'' Olsen said.
He didn't need to say another word.
He had a no-hitter until the fourth inning, gave up two hits all game -- on a night that arguably was the best of his career -- and won his fourth game of the season.
And he almost ended one of baseball's most embarrassing streaks. The Marlins have not had a nine-inning complete game from a pitcher since Sept. 10, 2006 -- a drought of 213 games. Their streak for a complete eight-inning game is 208, and they are second only to Washington (238) in not finishing what they start.
Olsen was one out away from ending the drought when manager Fredi Gonzalez lifted him in the ninth inning with the bases loaded.
So what did Olsen do?
The same person who had the reputation for being a difficult pitcher who loses his temper a year ago gave the ball to Gonzalez and said, ''I'll get you one,'' and walked off the mound to a standing ovation.
The crowd booed Gonzalez when he lifted Olsen, who threw 100 pitches through eight innings. But he was up to 121 after he walked Joe Dillon on a 3-2 pitch to load the bases in the ninth.
''You give him every opportunity [to get the complete game] and then you make a decision -- not a popular one -- but we gave him every opportunity,'' Gonzalez said.
``I've got to worry about 25 guys. I have to worry about the Florida Marlins winning a ball game.''
WIN MOST IMPORTANT
Olsen had no problem with the decision.
''I knew when I didn't get Dillon, that was it,'' he said. ``The important thing is that we won the game. I don't think any [pitchers on this team] are thinking about complete games.
``You're not going out there thinking about throwing a complete game. You're thinking about going seven, eight innings and giving your team a chance to win.''
Olsen did that and more.
''You can't ask for anything more.'' Gonzalez said.
Olsen, who is 4-1 with a 2.22 ERA, didn't allow a hit until former University of Miami star Ryan Braun doubled with one out in the fourth inning. Braun's hit came after Milwaukee manager Ned Yost was ejected for arguing over a called third strike on Mike Cameron. Olsen said Yost's arguing didn't affect him, and gave Braun credit for hitting a good slider.
Olsen retired 14 of the next 15 batters, and didn't give up another hit until Prince Fielder got a two-out single in the ninth.
But Olsen allowed two of his four walks in the ninth and appeared tired after throwing a personal high of 121 pitches.
`BIG WEAPON'
''I didn't think things would go this well, but we're only five weeks into the season,'' Olsen said. ``[On Monday,] I had a good slider and I'm throwing a changeup. I didn't have a changeup last year at all. This year I feel comfortable throwing it in any count. It's been a big weapon.''
The Marlins used two big weapons to get three runs off Brewers starter Jeff Suppan. Luis Gonzalez, who entered the game with just 14 hits this season, went 4 for 4 (tying a career high) to lift his batting average from .226 to .273. Gonzalez drove in a run with a single in the second, and Mike Jacobs hit a a two-run homer in the fourth inning to straightaway center that was estimated at 419 feet. It was Jacobs' ninth homer of the season.
Olsen did the rest.
''It was pretty easy playing behind him, the way he was pitching,'' Marlins second baseman Dan Uggla said. ``He was awesome.''
And so close.
