20-year Marliniversary: Encarnación's late blast lifts Marlins past Rockies, 4-3

[Mike Ferguson]

For the second year in a row, Juan Encarnación killed the Colorado Rockies with a game-winning home run.

Outfielder Juan Encarnación hit just one career walk-off home run and that came for the Florida Marlins in Dontrelle Willis' debut in 2003 against the Colorado Rockies. Although that served as his only walk-off blast, it wasn't the only game-winning homer of his career.

It also wasn't the only one against Colorado.

On this day 20 years ago, Encarnación gave the Rockies horrific flashbacks. His two-run home run in the eighth turned a one-run deficit into a one-run lead for Florida in a 4-3 victory over Colorado.

Encarnación had plated the Marlins only two runs on a first-inning single as they came to bat in the bottom of the eighth at Pro Player Stadium on Aug. 28, 2004. Trailing 3-2, Jeff Conine started the frame with a solid single on the first pitch of the at-bat from Steve Reed.

Encarnación was initially sent out to bunt, but with two strikes, was given the go-ahead to swing away. Failing to get the bunt down turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

On a 2-2 pitch from Reed, Encarnación pulled one over the left-field wall for the go-ahead blast. Closer Armando Benítez needed just seven pitches to record a 1-2-3 ninth and collect the save.

Despite leaving with a 3-2 deficit, Carl Pavano picked up the win for Florida, allowing three runs on seven hits in eighth innings. A three-run home run from Clint Barmes in the third accounted for all the Colorado offense. Miguel Cabrera finished with three of the nine hits for the Marlins. Juan Pierre and Encarnación each added two knocks.

The Marlins would go on to sweep the three-game series with Colorado the following day, which began a franchise-record-tying nine-game winning streak. A member of the Marlins' 2003 championship team, Encarnación began the 2004 season with the Los Angeles Dodgers before being re-acquired by Florida before the trade deadline.

His first home run in his return to the Marlins turned out to be a game-winner to cap a four-RBI night. It came on this day two decades ago. 

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