15-year Marliniversary: Marlins use throwing error to rally past Mets in 9th

For the Florida Marlins, the 2011 season was a rollercoaster of a year.

After a splendid April and May, the Marlins had a horrid June, going from 10 games over .500 to 11 games under in just over a month. On this day 15 years ago, however, the Marlins found a way to even their record with a come-from-behind win.

Trailing by a run in the ninth inning, the Marlins took advantage of a throwing error by New York Mets infielder Justin Turner. The errant throw allowed two runs to score as Florida rallied for a 4-3 victory.

The Marlins were 54-55 while the Mets were 55-54 as the teams squared off on Aug. 2, 2011. A go-ahead sixth-inning sacrifice fly from Lucas Duda was the difference as the Mets took the lead to the top of the ninth.

Closer Jason Isringhausen took the mound, looking for the save. He opened the evening by walking Logan Morrison on five pitches. After getting the ever-dangerous Giancarlo (then known as Mike) Stanton for the first out, Isringhausen gave up a single to Mike Cameron. On the very next pitch, Isringhausen hit John Buck to load the bases with one out.

Facing pinch hitter Bryan Petersen, Isringhausen was able to get ahead in the count, 0-2. On the third pitch, Petersen hit a slow roller to Turner at second base. Indecisive on the play, Turner initially ran Buck toward first before throwing wide of the base in an effort to get Petersen. Both Morrison and Cameron scored to give Florida its first lead since the fifth inning.

Isringhausen was able to retire the next two batters, but the damage was done. Florida lefty Randy Choate walked former Marlins catcher Ronny Paulino to open the bottom of the ninth, but closer Juan Carlos Oviedo (then known as Leo Núñez) promptly got Daniel Murphy to hit into a double play. Oviedo then struck out Jason Pridie to end the contest.

Prior to the ninth, both runs for Florida had come on solo blasts by Omar Infante – one in the first and one in the fifth—off New York starter Chris Capuano. José Reyes tied the game at 1 with a solo shot off Brad Hand in the third. David Wright again drew the Mets even with an RBI groundout in the fifth before Duda gave New York its first lead in the sixth.

Infante finished with three of the seven hits for the Marlins. Scott Hairston and Ángel Pagán each had two knocks for the Mets.

With the win, the Marlins evened their record at 55-55. It would be the last time that Florida was at or above .500 all season as it proceeded to lose its next seven games. The Marlins' time back at .500 was short, but they got there on this day 15 years ago.