Mike Ferguson

Ross Gload was the hero on this day 15 years ago. Primarily a reserve, Ross Gload managed just 60 hits and six home runs in his lone season as a member of the Florida Marlins. His biggest hit while with the club came on this day 15 years ago. Trailing by one in the bottom of the ninth to the Atlanta Braves, Gload got the call to pinch hit. He delivered with a two-run walk-off home run to propel Florida to a thrilling 4-3 victory. Garret Anderson led off the top of the ninth with a solo home run on the eighth pitch of his at-bat to give the Braves a 3-2 lead at Pro Player Stadium on July 28, 2009. Juan Carlos Oviedo—then known as Leo Núñez—was able to get the final three outs on just five pitches, but the Florida offense had work to do. Facing Atlanta closer Rafael Soriano, Cody Ross opened the bottom of the ninth by drawing a four-pitch walk for the Marlins. One pitch later, he was standing at second following a successful sacrifice bunt from John Baker. Gload had not homered in 47 days and it'd been 11 days since his last hit as he stepped to the plate with one out. Soriano's inability to throw strikes put Gload in a hitter's count at 3-1. Soriano's next pitch got too much of the plate and Gload took advantage by belting a 96 mph fastball into the left-field seats for the walk-off blast. Prior to the ninth, both of Florida's runs came in the third inning on a two-run double by Hanley Ramírez. The Braves drew even in the sixth on a solo home run by Chipper Jones. Anderson and Yunel Escobar each finished with two hits for Atlanta. Chris Coghlan and Emilio Bonifácio did likewise at the top of the Marlins' order. As for Gload, he would spent 10 total seasons in Major League Baseball with six different clubs. Gload hit 34 home runs throughout the course of his career. His lone walk-off came as a member of the Marlins on this day 15 years ago. View full article

On this day five years ago, the Miami Marlins—rocking 1997 World Series throwbacks—scored a walk-off win over the Arizona Diamondbacks. The seasons for the 1997 Florida Marlins and 2019 Miami Marlins couldn't have been more different. On this day five years ago, however, the 2019 squad donned the 1997 throwbacks and channeled their inner champions. The contest at Marlins Park on July 26, 2019 happened to have a lot of similarities to Game 7 of the 1997 World Series. In the end, a Harold Ramírez sacrifice fly was the difference in a 3-2 over the Arizona Diamondbacks. Quality start from the Marlins starter? Check. As was the case on both occasions, the Marlins got a quality start from their pitcher. In both cases, the starter allowed two runs in six innings. In Game 7 of the 1997 World Series against the Cleveland Guardians, it was lefty Al Leiter. Against Arizona to open the three-game set in July 2019, it was Sandy Alcántara. Both left with their team trailing 2-1. Trailing 2-1 entering the ninth? Check. In both games, the Marlins trailed 2-1 entering the bottom of the ninth. In Game 7 of the 1997 World Series, Florida scored one in the inning before winning it in the 11th. Against the Diamondbacks, Miami pushed across two runs to win it in the ninth. Critical game-tying sacrifice fly? Check. In both games, the Marlins drew even in the bottom of the ninth with a sacrifice fly. In the clinching game of the 1997 World Series, Craig Counsell came through to right field to score Moises Alou. Against Arizona, Jorge Alfaro's sacrifice fly to right scored Yadiel Rivera to tie the game. Rivera pinch ran for Garrett Cooper, who doubled to open the inning. A 3-2 Marlins walk-off win? Check. In both contests, the score ended with a 3-2 walk-off victory for the Marlins. The 1997 season concluded with Édgar Rentería singling home Counsell in the 11th. In the series opener against Arizona in late July 2019, Ramírez's sacrifice fly to center field chased home Neil Walker for the winning run. While the 1997 season saw the Marlins take home their first of two world championships, the 2019 campaign ended with 105 losses for Miami, the second-most in franchise history. But for three games in 2019, the Marlins were able to dress like champions. They ended up taking two of the three contests. The first ended in walk-off fashion on this day five years ago. View full article

The Marlins were victorious, but the uniforms were hideous as Jorge Fábregas played the hero 25 years ago. Jorge Fábregas had just 46 hits in less than one full season as a member of the Florida Marlins. On this day 25 years ago, however, he had his only walk-off hit as a member of the club. It was "Turn Ahead the Clock" at Pro Player Stadium on July 23, 1999 as the Marlins and Milwaukee Brewers donned what they called "futuristic" uniforms. Florida trailed 4-2 in the eighth, but Fábregas' walk-off single capped the comeback in a 5-4 victory. For six innings, a solo home run from José Valentín in the second was all that Milwaukee was able to muster against Florida starter Ryan Dempster. In the top of the seventh, the Brewers took the lead off the right-hander with three runs. Following an RBI double from Geoff Jenkins that tied the game, Valentín's sacrifice fly put the Brewers in front. Sean Berry added an RBI single later in the inning. After a rocket from Preston Wilson in center field to get Ronnie Belliard at the plate to end the top of the eighth, the Marlins cut the deficit to 4-3 with three straight walks in the bottom of the inning. Against Bob Wickman, the Marlins found a way to rally with two runs in the ninth. In the sixth, Danny Bautista had tied the game with an RBI triple before scoring the go-ahead run on a Kevin Millar single. In the ninth, Bautista led things off with a double. Millar followed by sacrificing him to third. Mark Kotsay came through with a game-tying RBI single. An infield single by Wilson, coupled with an error, put the runners on the corners with just one out. Needing only a deep flyball to end the game, Mike Lowell popped up for the second out. That set the stage for Fábregas. On a 1-1 pitch, Fábregas hit one in the hole between third base and shortstop. Forced to rush to make the play, Valentin had the ball roll under his glove at short and into left field for the game-ending single. 2cveto_2.mp4 Wilson finished with four of the 13 Florida hits in the victory. Bautista had two hits and two runs scored. Catcher Dave Nilsson went 3-for-3 for the Brewers in the loss. After being released by the Marlins in late August, Fábregas found himself in the World Series later that season as a member of the Atlanta Braves. He mercilessly ended a game that featured ugly uniforms on this day a quarter-century ago. View full article

On this day 25 years ago, Liván Hernández was the winning pitcher for the final time as a Marlin. A defector from communist Cuba, Liván Hernández remains one of the greatest stories in Florida/Miami Marlins history. As a rookie in 1997, Hernández finished as runner-up for National League Rookie of the Year and as the World Series MVP. For his final two seasons as a member of the Florida Marlins, he was one of the top starting pitchers for a rebuilding franchise. On this day 25 years ago, he picked up his final win as a member of the Marlins. Hernández went eight strong innings on the mound and homered at the plate in an 11-4 win over the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. After two scoreless innings to open the game on July 9, 1999 at Pro Player Stadium, the Marlins and Devil Rays traded runs in both the third and fourth innings. With the score tied 2-2 halfway through, Florida went ahead for good with five runs in the fifth. Hernández's blast highlighted the frame. On the first pitch of the bottom of the fifth, Hernández belted Tampa Bay pitcher Ryan Rupe's offering over the "teal tower" in left field for a solo home run that put the Marlins ahead for good. Mark Kotsay pushed the lead to 5-2 with a two-run double later in the inning. A sacrifice fly by Mike Lowell and an RBI single from Mike Redmond extended the advantage to 7-2. The Devil Rays tried to claw back with two runs in the sixth, ignited by a solo home run by John Flaherty. The Marlins countered with two runs in the bottom of the inning on an RBI single from Bruce Aven and an RBI double by Kevin Millar. With the lead back to five at 9-4, Hernández had his only 1-2-3 inning of the night in the seventh, striking out the side of Dave Martinez, José Canseco and Fred McGriff. With the help of a double play, Hernández faced the minimum in the eighth. Over his eight innings, Hernández allowed four runs, three earned, while scattering 11 hits and striking out seven. Florida added to its lead in the eighth with an RBI double from Millar and an RBI single from Preston Wilson. While Hernández shined on the mound and scored a pair of runs, Aven went 4-for-4 at the plate with three runs scored and two RBIs. Kotsay and Millar each added two hits. Flaherty finished 3-for-4 with a pair of runs scored for Tampa Bay in the loss. Hernández would make two more starts as a member of the Marlins before being traded to the San Francisco Giants for Nate Bump and Jason Grilli. Hernández's final home start for Florida is where he would pick up his final victory as a member of the Marlins. It came on this day a quarter-century ago. View full article

Marcell Ozuna saved a hapless offense with a two-run shot in the ninth inning on this day 10 years ago. Marcell Ozuna never hit a walk-off home run as a member of the Miami Marlins, but that doesn't mean his tenure was void of the dramatic blast. On this day 10 years ago, Ozuna delivered the Marlins in the clutch. His two-run home run in the ninth was the difference as Miami rallied past the Arizona Diamondbacks, 2-1. Through eight innings at Chase Field on July 8, 2014, the Marlins had managed just four hits against Vidal Nuño III and Brad Ziegler. With Arizona clinging to a 1-0 lead, Addison Reed was called on to try to shut the door for the Diamondbacks. Reed opened his night by walking Ed Lucas, but recovered quickly to strike out Giancarlo Stanton before getting Casey McGehee to line out. With the count 2-2 to Ozuna, Reed was one strike away from ending the contest. Ozuna had other plans. On a fastball out over the plate, Ozuna teed off, lifting the pitch to straightaway center field for the go-ahead blast. It was Ozuna's second hit of the night for a Marlins team that finished with just five. cv_34427163_1200K.mp4 Steve Cishek worked a 1-2-3 ninth to pick up the save. Arizona wasted seven shutout innings from Nuno in the loss. Brad Hand scattered eight hits to yield just an unearned run in 6 ⅓ innings for Miami. Mike Dunn struck out the only batter he faced in to end the eighth and pick up the win. The Marlins were able to overcome three errors to collect the road victory. Tuffy Gosewisch and Martín Prado each had two hits for the Diamondbacks in the loss. In more than four seasons with the Marlins, Ozuna homered 96 times—still good for 11th in club history. A two-time All-Star for the Marlins, Ozuna hit his first game-winning home run in the ninth inning or later on this day one decade ago. View full article

Thirty years ago, the Marlins erased a late lead to win in 10 innings. In just their second year as a franchise, the Florida Marlins finished 51-64 during the strike-shortened 1994 season. However, they had their fair share of thrilling wins, going 5-1 in extra innings. Their final extra-inning walk-off win from that campaign came on this day 30 years ago. After tying the game with three runs in the eighth inning, Greg Colbrunn's RBI single in the 10th won it in a 4-3 victory over the Cincinnati Reds. The Marlins had managed just three hits off Cincinnati starter John Roper as they came to bat in the bottom of the eighth at Joe Robbie Stadium on July 6, 1994. Down 3-0, back-to-back singles from Kurt Abbott and Bret Barberie got the rally started. With runners at the corners and nobody out, Matías Carrillo got Florida on the board with a sacrifice fly. Following a single from Chuck Carr that put the tying run on base, Roper's night was done. Reliever Jeff Brantley was able to get Jerry Browne swinging for the second out, but the big bats in the Marlins order did their jobs. Gary Sheffield cut the deficit to 3-2 by flaring a single to center field that scored Barberie. One pitch later, Jeff Conine followed with a bloop to left that landed in front of the diving Kevin Mitchell for the game-tying single. Marlins relievers Yorkis Pérez and Robb Nen were able to stand runners in each of the next two innings. For Cincinnati, Héctor Carrasco worked a 1-2-3 ninth inning, but a one-out error by shortstop Barry Larkin in the bottom of the 10th would prove costly. After a passed ball by catcher Brian Dorsett allowed the speedy Carr to reach second, back-to-back walks to Browne and Sheffield loaded the bases. As the Reds turned to lefty Chuck McElroy, the Marlins countered with the right-handed-hitting Colbrunn. Colbrunn needed to see just one pitch as he smacked one past the drawn-in infield and into center field for the walk-off hit. Conine and Barberie each finished with two hits for Florida. Larkin, Reggie Sanders, Ed Taubensee and Tony Fernández each finished with two hits for Cincinnati, combining for eight of the Reds' nine knocks. Bret Boone plated two of the three Cincinnati runs with a fourth-inning double. In addition to the Marlins' five wins in extra innings in 1994, they also recorded seven walk-off wins. The last walk-off victory in extras from that season took place on this day three decades ago. View full article

Ten years ago, it was Casey McGehee and Jeff Baker who had the big hits for the Marlins. During an up-and-down 2014 season, July would end up being the best month of the year for the Miami Marlins. On this day 10 years ago, the Marlins picked up one of their most memorable wins of the month. Trailing by four runs early, the Marlins scored the game's final five runs. That included two in the ninth to stun the St. Louis Cardinals, 6-5. The Cardinals used three different pitchers in the top of the ninth on July 5, 2014. Fortunately for the Marlins, the final two were unable to get the big out. Randy Choate, a left-handed specialist and former Marlin, was able to get Christian Yelich to line out to open the inning, but Donovan Solano followed with a single off right-hander Trevor Rosenthal. Rosenthal was able to fan Giancarlo Stanton swinging, but Casey McGehee managed to tie things up by working a remarkable 11-pitch at-bat. With Solano getting a head start from first on a full count, McGehee laced one in the right-center field gap. Although it went as a single, Solano was able to score from first before McGehee advanced to second on the throw home. With the score tied 5-5, St. Louis turned to lefty Sam Freeman. The Marlins countered by inserting Jeff Baker to pinch hit. It turned out to be the right call as Baker lined the go-ahead RBI single to left to give the Marlins their first lead since the top of the first. Steve Cishek faced the minimum in the ninth to pick up the save, getting Yadier Molina to ground into the game-ending double play. It was McGehee who got the scoring started in the first with an RBI single, but Molina answered with one of his own in the bottom of the inning. Allen Craig and Jhonny Peralta each homered for the Cardinals during a four-run fourth inning. The Marlins closed to within a run in the sixth on a Yelich three-run home run. McGehee and Solano each had three hits for the Marlins. Yelich and catcher Jeff Mathis each added two hits. Yelich scored twice in the victory. Molina and Craig had two hits apiece for the Cardinals. With the game-tying RBI and the go-ahead run, McGehee's afternoon would serve as one of atonement. The day prior, he grounded into a game-ending double play with the bases loaded in a 3-2 loss to the Cardinals. McGehee went from goat to hero on this day one decade ago. View full article

On this day 25 years ago, Mark Kotsay's walk-off home run sent the Marlins home winners. A Golden Spikes Award winner in college at Cal State Fullerton, Mark Kotsay did a lot of things well over his 17-year Major League Baseball career. With good speed and a good arm, Kotsay hit for average, but was never really regarded for his power. On this day 25 years ago, however, Kotsay's power showed up when it was needed most. His walk-off home run in the 10th inning lifted the Florida Marlins past the New York Mets, 4-3. Kotsay was 0-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout as he came to bat against Mets right-hander Armando Benítez in the bottom of the 10th at Pro Player Stadium on June 30, 1999. Benítez retired Bruce Aven and Mike Lowell to open the inning. With the count 3-2, he was one strike away from sending the contest to the 11th. On the sixth pitch of the at-bat, Benítez left a fastball up and Kotsay was able to turn on it, sending it beyond the wall in right field for a walk-off solo home run. It gave Florida just its third win in 12 games against the Mets to that point in the season. 8ulcdc_1.mp4 Despite needing heroics from Kotsay, the Marlins never trailed in the contest. Kevin Millar's two-run home run in the second gave Florida an early lead. The Mets drew even with two runs in the sixth, but Millar put the Marlins back in front with an RBI single in the bottom of the inning. New York tied it up again in the top of the seventh on Edgardo Alfonzo's RBI single. Millar finished with three hits in the win for Florida while Alfonzo and Roger Cedeño each added two hits for the Mets. Antonio Alfonseca was able to strand a pair of runners in the top of the 10th to earn the win for the Marlins. During his time as a big leaguer, Kotsay finished with 174 home runs, but never hit more than 17 in any season. The bomb to beat the Mets wouldn't be the only walk-off homer of Kotsay's career, but it would be the first. It came on this day a quarter-century ago. View full article

Down five runs, the Miami Marlins went ahead for good with six runs in the seventh on this day five years ago. The Miami Marlins didn't do a whole lot of winning during their 105-loss campaign in 2019, but there were some memorable wins along the way. That included a pair of memorable comebacks against the Philadelphia Phillies. One of those came on this day five years ago. Trailing 6-1 in the bottom of the sixth, the Marlins scored eight unanswered runs to end the contest for a 9-6 victory. For the first five innings at Marlins Park on June 29, 2019, a first-inning RBI single from Garrett Cooper had accounted for all the Miami offense against Philadelphia starter Zach Eflin. Six pitches into the bottom of the sixth, a single from Brian Anderson and a two-run blast from Neil Walker cut the deficit to 6-3. With Eflin's quality start over, the Marlins went ahead for good with six runs in the bottom of the seventh. The rally started against Phillies reliever Juan Nicasio. After a single from Miguel Rojas and a double from Harold Ramírez—both on the first pitch from Nicasio—put runners in scoring position, Cooper's RBI groundout cut the lead to two. A four-pitch walk to Anderson ended Nicasio's night. Adam Morgan wouldn't fare much better for the Phillies. After Walker singled on an 0-2 pitch to cut the deficit to one, Starlin Castro's RBI double to center field tied things up. Two pitches later. JT Riddle gave the Marlins their first lead with a two-run double to right. Yadiel Rivera would cap the big inning with an RBI single as the Marlins sent 10 men to the plate in the inning. Maikel Franco singled to open the top of the eighth, but he would serve as the only Phillies baserunner the rest of the way. Jarlín García worked a scoreless seventh to pick up the win. Sergio Romo retired the Phillies in order in the ninth to earn the save. As a team, the Marlins finished with 15 hits with five different Marlins having multi-hit games. Ramírez finished with three hits while Walker, Rojas, Cooper and Castro each added two. Ramírez, Anderson and Walker each scored twice. Rhys Hoskins homered for Philadelphia in the loss. June would serve as the only winning month for the Marlins during the 2019 season. Their two biggest comebacks from that year, however, both came against the Phillies. Miami would erase a 7-0 deficit to beat the Phillies 19-11 on Aug. 23. The first big comeback against Philadelphia came on this day five years ago. View full article

Ten years ago, Marcell Ozuna made perhaps his most memorable throw as a member of the Marlins. Although Marcell Ozuna has become a bit of a villain among the baseball faithful in South Florida, his time as a member of the Miami Marlins was certainly productive. In more than four years with the Marlins, Ozuna hit 96 home runs, played in two All-Star games, won a Silver Slugger Award and a Gold Glove. His rocket for an arm made him tough to run on in left field and on this day 10 years ago, he made perhaps his most memorable throw as a member of the Marlins. At 36-36, the Marlins were seeking to get over .500 as they hosted the New York Mets at Marlins Park on June 20, 2014. The Marlins enjoyed a 3-0 lead. An RBI groundout by Adeiny Hechavarría in the first inning put Miami on the board. The Marlins added two runs in the seventh on an errant throw by New York catcher Anthony Recker and an RBI double by Hechavarria. Then in the top of the eighth, David Wright singled home the first Mets run. Eric Campbell followed that up with his own RBI single, which would’ve tied the game had Ozuna not gunned down Wright at home plate. Not out of the woods yet, though, the Mets threatened in the ninth against Miami closer Steve Cishek. The Marlins led 3-2 entering the final inning, but after a double and a sacrifice bunt, outfielder Kirk Nieuwenhuis stood at third base with just one out. Chris Young lifted a 3-2 Cishek pitch to left field, which appeared to be plenty deep enough to score the tying run. Once again, testing Ozuna’s arm proved to be unwise. He was able to catch the ball with a head of steam and fire a frozen rope to home plate. The throw got there on the fly to Miami catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia, who tagged Nieuwenhuis for the out at the plate to end the contest. Ozuna’s throw not only preserved the win for the Marlins, but for starting pitcher Henderson Álvarez, who allowed seven hits and struck out five in 6 1⁄3 innings of work. Sharing an outfield with future National League MVPs Stanton and Christian Yelich, Ozuna’s value may have been sometimes overlooked. The throw from Ozuna on June 20, 2014 may have been his most memorable defensive memory during his tenure in South Florida and it came on this day one decade ago. View full article

On this day 30 years ago, Charlie Hough tossed a gem for his final big-league win. The man who threw the first pitch in Florida/Miami Marlins history remains the oldest player ever to play for the franchise. Charlie Hough, at the age of 45, helped a young franchise in South Florida get off the ground. On this day 30 years ago, the veteran Hough proved that there was still a place for a proud, old man in a young man's game. Hough tossed a five-hit shutout to pick up the final win of his 25-year Major League Baseball career as the Florida Marlins blanked the St. Louis Cardinals, 7-0. It did take long to realize that the 46-year-old Hough had his knuckleball moving at Busch Stadium on June 14, 1994. Hough got off to a strong start by striking out the side in the St. Louis first, including Gregg Jeffries on just three pitches. With the help of a great throw by catcher Rob Tingley to get Brian Jordan trying to steal at second, Hough faced the minimum through three innings. In the fourth, Florida gave the veteran knuckleballer a lead he could work with. After Gary Sheffield doubled home Jerry Browne for the game's first run, Matías Carrillo singled in Sheffield to push the Florida lead to 2-0. St. Louis threatened in the bottom of the inning, but Hough was able to strand a pair of runners with back-to-back popouts. Hough worked a 1-2-3 fifth before stranding two more runners in the sixth. In the top of the seventh, the Marlins blew things open with five straight hits. Following four straight singles, including an RBI knock from Barberie, to open the frame, Kurt Abbott delivered the big blow by belting a 3-1 fastball into the left-field stands for a grand slam—his second slam in 10 days. The Cardinals managed just two singles over the final three innings and didn't have another runner reach scoring position. Hough closed the complete-game shutout by working a 1-2-3 ninth. asset_2500K.mp4 Hough finished the five-hitter with nine strikeouts and just one walk on 127 pitches. With the victory, Hough improved to 5-4 on the season, but would drop his final five decisions during the strike-shortened campaign. Throughout the course of his lengthy career, Hough finished with 216 wins, 216 losses, and 13 career shutouts. The last of those came at 46 years old and as a member of a second-year franchise. It served as his final career win on this day three decades ago. View full article

30 years ago, Bret Barberie came through in the clutch with the most exciting play in baseball. An original member of the franchise, Bret Barberie is known for collecting the first hit in Florida/Miami Marlins history. On this day 30 years ago, he accomplished another Marlins first. Visiting the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium on June 13, 1994 in just their second year as a franchise, the Florida Marlins entered the top of the ninth inning trailing 1-0. Barberie led off the inning, and with the fifth pitch he saw from St. Louis closer Mike Pérez, Barberie hammered the ball to right-center field. Outfielders Mark Whiten and Ray Lankford converged to make the play, but collided. The ball bounced off the wall and rolled into center field. By the time second baseman Geronimo Peña was able to come up with it, Barberie had made his way all the way around to home plate. Barberie would slide in easily, notching the first inside-the-park home run in Marlins history. His “solo shot” tied the score at one apiece. The inside-the-park home run served as Barberie’s only official at-bat of the evening, although he reached base safely in each of his other three plate appearances with two walks and a hit by pitch. The hit also kept Marlins starting pitcher Pat Rapp from taking the loss after allowing just a run on four hits in eight innings of work. Unfortunately for Barberie, it wasn’t enough to get Florida over the hump. The Cardinals won the game in walk-off fashion when catcher Tom Pagnozzi singled home the winning run off reliever Robb Nen in the bottom half of the inning. Nevertheless, Barberie will always hold the distinction of being the first member of the Marlins franchise to record an inside-the-park home run. That moment happened on this day three decades ago. View full article

Jordan Yamamoto appeared to have a very bright future on this day five years ago. Still talked about with sensitivity in South Florida, the trade that sent Christian Yelich from the Miami Marlins to the Milwaukee Brewers never went quite as many had hoped. For one of the players involved in that trade, however, things started quite well. On this day five years ago, Jordan Yamamoto shined in his Major League Baseball debut. The right-hander from Hawaii threw seven incredible innings on the mound and drove in a run at the plate as Miami blanked the St. Louis Cardinals, 9-0. In his seven shutout frames at Marlins Park on June 12, 2019, Yamamoto allowed just three hits and two walks while striking out five. He needed just 32 pitches to get through his first three innings, allowing just one walk. Offensively, the Marlins didn't waste a lot of time staking the rookie to an early lead. After Brian Anderson drove in the game's first run with an RBI single in the first, Garrett Cooper's second grand slam in less than a month pushed the advantage to 5-0. In the fourth, however, St. Louis looked as though it would make things interesting. A double from Paul DeJong and a single from Paul Goldschmidt put runners on the corners with nobody out. Having to work around traffic for the first time, Yamamoto was able to get Marcell Ozuna to fly out to shallow left before Yadier Molina grounded into an inning-ending double play. In the fifth, Yamamoto was able to erase a lead-off single by Kolten Wong by getting Dexter Fowler to ground into another double play. A walk to Molina in the seventh would serve as the final baserunner of the night for the Cardinals against Yamamoto. While the St. Louis bats were stifled, the Marlins continued to tack on. Yamamoto helped himself by squeezing home Miguel Rojas in the bottom of the sixth. Curtis Granderson capped the scoring with a three-run home run in the eighth. d56e1d22-fa7a4133-80e3559e-CSVM-DIAMONDTMP-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4 Though Yamamoto stole the show on the mound, Cooper had three hits at the plate. Anderson and Rojas each added two. Miles Mikolas took the loss for St. Louis. As a rookie in 2019, Yamamoto had the look of a future star, winning his first four decisions. Unfortunately, he dropped his final five and has just one win since. That came in 2021 as a member of the New York Mets—the last time he pitched in the big leagues. Although Yamamoto's career never flourished as the Marlins would have hoped, he gave the fans of South Florida a memorable debut. It came on this day five years ago. View full article