Derek Lowe, center, receives high-fives from manager Grady Little, right, and coach Mike Cubbage. (Neal Hamberg/AP)

As the Red Sox right-hander was ringing up the final three outs of his no-hitter Saturday against Tampa Bay, he had a cheering section in the Florida Marlins clubhouse.

Watching with great interest was A.J. Burnett, who knows the adrenaline rush of tossing a no-hitter. The Marlins right-hander held San Diego without a hit in a 3-0 win on May 12, 2001.

"I was rooting for him," Burnett said. "Good for him. It's an awesome feeling."

Whenever there is a no-hit watch, Burnett acknowledges he pays close attention, wondering which pitcher will be next to join the club. One reason is because he tossed no-hitter No. 203 in modern Major League history (since 1900).

Unlike Lowe, who walked one, Burnett struggled with control versus the Padres. On his special day last May, Burnett walked nine and hit a batter.

"I put in more effort," Burnett quipped.

Charles Johnson, who caught Burnett's no-hitter, joked with the 25-year-old about what an adventure the game in San Diego was.

"Guys were everywhere on the base paths," Burnett said.

Because Burnett struggled finding the plate, the no-hitter was an afterthought because he was trying to win the game.

That wasn't the case with Lowe, who won 10-0 at Fenway Park.

Burnett recalls the anxiousness of working the ninth inning, and trying to get that final out.

"I'm sure (Lowe) was anxious for the guy to hurry up and get in the box," said Burnett, referring to the last out grounder by Jason Tyner.

Marlins manager Jeff Torborg, who caught no-hitters by Sandy Koufax (perfect game), Bill Singer and Nolan Ryan, said of Lowe's no-hitter: "You've got to be darn lucky if you can get one. That's why these things are so difficult."

Joe Frisaro covers the Marlins for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.