25-year Marliniversary: Wilson's 3-run walk-off blast propels Marlins past Cubs, 7-6

[Mike Ferguson]

One of just 10 players to hit 100 home runs as a member of the Florida/Miami Marlins, Preston Wilson’s power was undeniable. In four full seasons with the Florida Marlins, Wilson hit at least 23 home runs every season.

His only career walk-off blast, however, came on this day 25 years ago. Wilson worked a six-pitch at-bat before going the other way for a walk-off three-run home run as Florida rallied past the Chicago Cubs, 7-6.

The Marlins had trailed by as many as four runs as they came to bat in the bottom of the ninth at Pro Player Stadium on Sept. 5, 2001. With Florida trailing 6-4, the Cubs turned to right-hander Tom Gordon, a former All-Star for the Boston Red Sox, to try to close it out.

Pinch hitter John Mabry singled to open the inning and give the Marlins hope. After Luis Castillo hit into a fielder’s choice, Derrek Lee was hit by a pitch to put the tying run on base. Following a Cliff Floyd flyout, it was all up to Wilson.

Regularly among baseball’s leaders in strikeouts, it wasn’t like Wilson to work long at-bats, but against Gordon, that’s what he did. Wilson fouled off a pair of two-strike pitches before getting a fastball up and on the outer half of the plate. Wilson was able to stay back and line it the other way and into the fifth row in right field for the walk-off blast. It was Gordon’s first blown save in nearly three months.

For much of the night, late-game drama seemed unlikely. A two-run single by Ricky Gutiérrez and a two-run home run by Ron Coomer in the second inning gave Chicago an early 4-0 lead.

The Marlins finally broke up the shutout on Kevin Millar’s RBI double in the sixth but the Cubs went back up by four with a run in the top of the eighth on Gutiérrez’s third RBI of the night. Florida got back into it with three runs in the bottom of the eighth. After Wilson reached on an error to score Floyd, Millar’s two-run homer made it 5-4. Eric Young’s RBI double in the top of the ninth looked to provide some insurance as it extended the Cubs’ lead to 6-4.

With 104 home runs as a member of the club, Wilson ranks 10th on the Marlins’ all-time home run list. His only walk-off shot came against a three-time All-Star and on this day a quarter-century ago.

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