15-year Marliniversary: Marlins sweep Nats with third straight 9th-inning comeback

[Mike Ferguson]

On this day 15 years ago, the Florida Marlins erased a ninth-inning deficit for a third straight game. 

After opening the 2009 season with a home sweep of the Washington Nationals, the Florida Marlins paid a visit to the nation's capital for a three-game set less than three weeks later. In each of the three games, the Marlins found themselves behind in the ninth inning. In each of those games, the Marlins rallied for victory.

Florida completed the three-game sweep on this day 15 years ago. Down a run entering the final frame, the Marlins pushed across four runs to stun the Nationals for a third straight day, 7-4.

After the Marlins tied the game on a solo home run by Cody Ross in the top of the eighth inning at Nationals Park on April 19, 2009, Washington went right back in front in the bottom of the inning as Ryan Zimmerman grounded into a fielder's choice, coupled with an error. With a 4-3 lead entering the top of the ninth, the Nationals turned to right-hander Saúl Rivera.

Rivera opened his night by walking Emilio Bonifacio. He was able to get ahead of John Baker, but couldn't put him away as the Marlins catcher doubled into the left-center field gap. Bonifacio scored with ease to tie the game but Rivera appeared to have settled himself.

Sandwiched around an intentional walk to Ross Gload, Rivera struck out both Hanley Ramírez and Dan Uggla. Needing just an out to keep the score tied, Rivera walked Cameron Maybin, which brought the red-hot Ross to the plate.

Ross was 2-for-3 for the night and had already homered twice in the series, including in the previous at-bat. After falling behind 2-0 in the count, Rivera served one up to Ross. The Florida outfielder lined it into the gap in right-center field for a bases-clearing double to give Florida a 7-4 lead.

Matt Lindstrom closed the door with a 1-2-3 ninth to pick up the save. Despite giving up the go-ahead run in the eighth, Juan Carlos Oviedo (then known as Leo Núñez) picked up the win.

Ross finished with five RBIs and just a triple shy of the cycle. Baker finished with a pair of doubles and two RBIs in the win. Nick Johnson, Adam Dunn and Austin Kearns each had two hits for the Nationals.

Prior to the ninth inning, Florida never led.

Washington used RBI singles from Elijah Dukes and Kearns to take a 2-0 lead in the first inning. The Marlins got on the board in the third when Baker doubled home starting pitcher Chris Volstad. After Washington got a run back in the fifth, Ross singled home Ramirez in the sixth before tying the game with his solo shot in the eighth. 

The Marlins won their first nine meetings with Washington during the 2009 season and took the season series 12-6. Their third of three straight comeback wins at Nationals Park came on this day 15 years ago. 

View full article