25-year Marliniversary: Wilson's infield walk-off breaks scoreless tie in win over Mets

[Mike Ferguson]

June 3, 2001 Preston Wilson hit at least 23 home runs every year. Still one of just 10 players ever to hit 100 home runs for the club, Wilson also had plenty of speed.

On this day 25 years ago, Wilson delivered the Marlins to victory without having to hit the ball out of the infielder. His RBI infield single in the bottom of the ninth broke a scoreless tie and lifted Florida past the New York Mets, 1-0.

The story of the day on June 3, 2001 at Pro Player Stadium was pitching. For the Mets, Kevin Appier allowed just two hits in seven shutout innings. For Florida, A.J. Burnett went 8.2 scoreless innings before Antonio Alfonseca got Todd Zeile to ground out to end a threat in the top of the ninth.

After working a 1-2-3 eighth for the Mets, Turk Wendell stayed on to pitch the bottom of the ninth. Wendell was able to start the inning strong by fanning Dave Berg on a 10-pitch plate appearance. Luis Castillo followed with a double. Wendell then yielded a walk on another 10-pitch plate appearance – this time to Eric Owens.

With two on and one out, the Mets went to closer John Franco, who was able to get Cliff Floyd to hit into a fielder’s choice for the second out. With the winning run at third, Wilson came to the plate.

0-for-2 with a walk and a strikeout to that point, Wilson lined one back off Franco’s glove. The ball ricocheted to shortstop but by the time Joe McEwing was able to gather and throw, Wilson had already crossed first base, giving the Fish the walk-off victory.

With the win, the Marlins salvaged a split in the four-game series and handed Wendell his second loss of the set. Each team finished with just four hits. Castillo had two of those knocks for the Marlins.

Wilson would add a second walk-off hit later in the season with a dramatic three-run home run to beat the Chicago Cubs. His first walk-off knock of 2001, however, left neither the yard nor the infield. It came on this day a quarter-century ago.

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