30-year Marliniversary: Pendleton's walk-off blast breaks scoreless tie in 10th

[Mike Ferguson]

Over his 15-year career in Major League Baseball, third baseman Terry Pendleton accomplished many things. An All-Star, batting champion, MVP and three-time Gold Glove winner, Pendleton collected nearly 1,900 hits and helped the St. Louis Cardinals win the 1987 World Series.

Not known for his power, Pendleton hit 140 career home runs, which included three walk-offs. The last of those came on this day 30 years as a member of the Florida Marlins.

Through nine innings at Joe Robbie Stadium on April 6, 1996, the Marlins and San Francisco Giants had played to a scoreless tie. After Kevin Brown gave Florida eight scoreless innings on the mound, Robb Nen added two more out of the bullpen, striking out four.

For San Francisco, starter Mark Leiter threw nine scoreless frames. As the Giants went to the bullpen, Mark Dewey failed to record an out. After working the count to 2-2, the switch-hitting Pendleton went the other way for a solo walk-off blast to give the Marlins a 1-0 victory.

Pendleton and catcher Charles Johnson each had two of the five hits for Florida. Shawon Dunston had two hits for San Francisco. Brown was able to scatter seven hits on the mound before Nen tossed consecutive 1-2-3 innings to pick up the win.

In parts of two seasons with the Marlins, Pendleton hit .273 with 21 home runs and 136 RBIs. His lone walk-off blast in teal and the last of his career came on this day three decades ago.

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