10-year Marliniversary: Mathis’ walk-off grand slam pushes Marlins past Padres

Just a .194 career hitter, catcher Jeff Mathis was never known for his bat, but that doesn’t mean he couldn’t provide some fireworks with it. That’s what he did on this day 10 years ago.

In the rubber game of a three-game set against the San Diego Padres, Mathis played the role of hero for the Miami Marlins. His walk-off grand slam lifted Miami to a thrilling 6-2 victory.

With the score tied 2-2 at Marlins Park on June 30, 2013, Miami came to bat against Tyson Ross in the bottom of the ninth. Logan Morrison walked to open the inning before Marcell Ozuna came through with a single. After a flyball from Derek Dietrich moved Morrison to third, an intentional walk to Greg Dobbs loaded the bases.

With one out and the bases juiced, Mathis came to the plate. The Miami catcher was 0-for-3 on the day, but needed just a deep flyball to end things. On a 1-0 pitch, a long flyball is just what Mathis would deliver.

On an inside fastball, Mathis hammered it over the wall in left field for a grand slam. The blast gave Mathis the first grand slam of his career and the Marlins their fourth walk-off win of the year.

It was Dietrich who got the scoring started with a two-run double in the fourth. Carlos Quentin’s two-run home run in the seventh drew San Diego even.

Morrison and Ozuna each finished with two hits and two runs scored in the victory. Steve Cishek worked a scoreless ninth to pick up his win.

Mathis would spend 17 years in Major League Baseball and hit 53 career home runs, including 11 as a member of the Miami Marlins. Interestingly enough, Mathis’ two career grand slams came as a member of the Marlins and both came against the Padres. His lone career walk-off homer, however, came on this day a decade ago.

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