20-year Marliniversary: Relocated by hurricane threat, Fish use 6-run 8th to top Expos

[Mike Ferguson]

As the home team in Chicago, the Florida Marlins' bats came to life in the eighth inning 20 years ago. 

Although the ballparks have had several different names, the Florida/Miami Marlins have only had two stadiums that they've called home—at least on a permanent basis.

On this day 20 years ago, the Florida Marlins found themselves batting as the home team at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago against the Montreal Expos. The Marlins trailed for most of the day before coming up with six runs in the eighth inning for a 6-3 victory.

It was the threat of Hurricane Ivan that forced Florida to move two home games to Chicago. As they came to bat in the bottom of the eighth on Sept. 13, 2004 in front of just 4,000 fans, the Marlins were on the short end of a 2-0 score.

As they had so often, Juan Pierre and Luis Castillo got the rally started with back-to-back singles off Joe Horgan. With Gary Majewski on the mound, the Expos followed with back-to-back errors in the field as Florida cut the lead to 2-1.

After Mike Lowell popped out for the first out, Jeff Conine followed with a game-tying sacrifice fly. Majewski was on the cusp of minimizing the damage, but the third out of the inning proved to be elusive for the Expos right-hander. 

Juan Encarnación was plunked with a 2-1 pitch to load the bases. Two pitches later, Álex González flared a two-run single to right field to give the Marlins their first lead of the day, 4-2. Lenny Harris followed with a pinch-hit RBI single, which turned into two runs following an error in center field by Montreal's Endy Chávez, the Expos' third miscue of the inning.

Down 6-2, Tony Batista led off the ninth with a solo home run to cap the scoring. Florida's Armando Benítez retired the next three batters to end the contest. Matt Perisho worked a 1-2-3 eighth to earn the win.

Pierre (3) and Castillo (2) combined for five of the Marlins' 11 hits. Chávez had two of the five hits and a run scored for Montreal in the loss.

The Marlins would beat the Expos again the next day with the help of another six-run inning to complete the mini two-game sweep. Over the years, the Marlins have also played games as the home team in Puerto Rico, Seattle and Milwaukee. They became the first reigning World Series champion to play a home game in Chicago since 1918 as they batted as the home team away from South Florida for the first time on this day two decades ago. 

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[THOMAS JOSEPH]

The saddest month in Montreal Expos history - September 2004.

I attended the last series against the Marlins in Montreal that month. For a lifelong Expos fan, depressing doesn't describe it. My wife and I visited Quebec twice a year for Expos games and the city's many charms. She didn't go that time, so being there alone made it twice as difficult.

My underlying point for Marlins fans is not to take things for granted. As rough and frustrating as things can be, every new Spring Training is rejuvenating. I feel for Oakland fans now. Expos fans understand.