30-year Marliniversary: Conine's slam highlights 5-run eighth as Fish rally past Giants

In their inaugural season, the Florida Marlins had one of the worst road records in baseball, finishing just 29-52 away from Joe Robbie Stadium.

There were, however, some good moments along the way. One of those came on this day 30 years ago. After being blanked for seven innings, Jeff Conine’s grand slam highlighted a five-run eighth inning as the Marlins rallied past the San Francisco Giants, 5-4.

In the opening game of a three-game series at Candlestick Park on Aug. 20, 1993, the Marlins had no answer for San Francisco starting pitcher Bill Swift. As the Giants went to their bullpen in the eighth, however, the Marlins’ bats awakened.

The Giants broke a scoreless tie with two runs in the seventh inning. Trailing 2-0 entering the top of the eighth, the Marlins offered a rude welcome to right-hander Michael Jackson.

Three straight singles from Chuck Carr, Walt Weiss and Bret Barberie plated a run to cut the deficit in half. After a Gary Sheffield groundout moved two runners into scoring position, the Giants turned to Jeff Brantley.

Brantley walked Orestes Destrade to load the bases. After falling behind 2-1 to Conine, the Florida rookie got a pitch he could handle and didn’t miss it. Conine, who hit the first grand slam in Marlins history against the Colorado Rockies on May 1, sent Brantley’s offering over the wall in left field for the second "granny" of his career as Florida took a 5-2 lead.

The Giants made things interesting with two runs in the eighth on a home run from Robby Thompson and an RBI single from Matt Williams. Closer Bryan Harvey, however, was able to retire the final five hitters he faced to end the contest.

Despite stellar starts from Swift and Florida’s Ryan Bowen, neither factored in the decision. Matt Turner picked up the win for the Marlins. Barberie and Conine each had two hits in the victory. Williams and Barry Bonds each finished with a pair of knocks for San Francisco.

A two-time All-Star and two-time world champion, Conine hit 214 home runs over his 17-year career in Major League Baseball, including 120 as a member of the Marlins. Six of his eight career grand slams came in a Marlins uniform, including the one that put Florida ahead for good on this day three decades ago.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

Mike Ferguson is a contributor for Fish on First, who covers Miami Marlins history. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson