Mike Ferguson

An error by Cincinnati's Paul Janish gave the Marlins a 14-inning walk-off win 15 years ago. The early parts of the 2009 season had plenty of thrilling moments for the Florida Marlins. Four of the Marlins' first 15 wins came in extra innings. On this day 15 years ago, the Marlins got their first extra-innings walk-off win of the season. A throwing error by Cincinnati Reds shortstop Paul Janish in the 14th inning lifted the Marlins to a thrilling 3-2 win. The Marlins hadn't scored since the sixth inning as the May 4, 2009 contest at Land Shark Stadium went to the 14th. In his third inning of relief, Burke Badenhop worked around a two-out single from Janish to give his team a chance to walk it off. Facing Danny Herrera, Marlins catcher Ronny Paulino started the 14th by drawing a walk. After getting the scoring started with a solo home run in the first inning, Hanley Ramírez singled on the very next pitch for his third hit of the night to put the winning run in scoring position. Jorge Cantú was able to get ahead in the count 2-0 before hitting a hard ground ball at Cincinnati first baseman Joey Votto. Votto threw to second to start what looked to be a sure double play, but Janish's return throw skipped away from the covering Herrera and allowed Paulino to score the winning run. Following Ramírez's blast in the first, Florida didn't add to its lead until an RBI single from Jeremy Hermida in the sixth made it 2-0. The Reds answered with two runs in the top of the seventh off Marlins starter Josh Johnson. Like Ramírez, Emilio Bonifácio finished with three hits for Florida. Cody Ross went 2-for-6 in the win. Janish, Votto, and Chris Dickerson each notched a pair of hits for the Reds. The 14 innings would be the most the Marlins would play all season. Florida scored the winning run on a throwing error on this day 15 years ago. View full article

The Marlins scored six runs in the 10th to complete their comeback on this day 15 years ago. Late-inning comebacks turned out to be a theme for the Florida Marlins early during the 2009 season. On this day 15 years ago, Florida turned a nail-biting extra-inning contest into a six-run rout. After trailing most of the way at Wrigley Field on April 30, 2009, the Marlins drew even with runs in the seventh and eighth. Florida went ahead for good with six runs in the 10th in an 8-2 victory over the Chicago Cubs. For six innings, Florida had no answer for and just three hits off Chicago starter Sean Marshall. Trailing 2-0, Jorge Cantú broke up the shutout by leading off the seventh with a solo home run. Against the usually reliable Carlos Mármol, two walks and a throwing error allowed the Marlins to draw even at two. After seven strong innings from Chris Volstad, Dan Meyer and Kiko Calero combined to throw two scoreless innings of relief to get the contest to the 10th. Facing Aaron Heilman, Alfredo Amézaga got the 10th inning started for Florida with a lead-off double. Following a walk to pinch-hitter Wes Helms, an error on a ground ball from Emilio Bonifácio allowed the Marlins to take their first lead, 3-2. The Fish, however, were just getting started. Cameron Maybin's bunt single scored Helms before a walk to Jeremy Hermida loaded the bases. Cantú unloaded them with a three-run double to give the Marlins a commanding 7-2 lead. Heilman's night was done, but Florida's big 10th inning wasn't. Ángel Guzmán entered the game and promptly gave up an RBI double to Dan Uggla. Guzmán retired the next three batters to keep the deficit at 8-2, but the damage was done. The Marlins finished with 10 hits while Uggla, Maybin, Cantú, Amézaga and catcher Ronny Paulino each recording two. The Cubs' only runs came in the fifth inning on back-to-back home runs from Milton Bradley and Mike Fontenot. For Florida, the victory capped a 14-8 month of April. The Marlins finished with three extra-inning wins during the month. The last came in historic Wrigley Field on this day 15 years ago. View full article

Mike Lowell was the hero on this day 20 years ago. A four-time All-Star and a postseason hero for both the Florida Marlins and Boston Red Sox, third baseman Mike Lowell hit 27 home runs in 2004. One of the timeliest blasts from that All-Star season came on this day 20 years ago. Lowell's solo shot in the ninth inning put the Florida Marlins ahead for good in San Francisco. The shot off Félix Rodríguez lifted the Marlins to a 4-3 victory over the San Francisco Giants. In the first game of a four-game series, the Giants pushed across two runs in the bottom of the eighth at SBC Park to draw even on April 29, 2004. With the score tied 3-3, Rodríguez began his afternoon by getting Miguel Cabrera to fly out. Behind in the count 2-1 to Lowell, Rodriguez left a 96-mph fastball over the middle of the plate and the Florida third base lifted a no-doubter into the left-field stands. Florida relievers Justin Wayne and Frank Gracesqui combined to working a scoreless ninth, stranding the tying run at third. Lowell and Juan Pierre each finished with two of the six hits for the Marlins. Hee-Seop Choi and Ramón Castro also homered for Florida in the victory. Barry Bonds finished 2-for-2 with a solo home run in the loss, surpassing Hank Aaron for the most homers hit after the age of 35. A.J. Pierzynski and J.T. Snow each had two hits for San Francisco. Wayne earned the win for Florida while Gracesqui recorded his only career save. San Francisco would bounce back to take the final three games of the series. The lone Marlins win was decided on a ninth-inning blast from Lowell on this day two decades ago. View full article

On this day 30 years ago, the Florida Marlins erased a four-run deficit in the eighth to top the Colorado Rockies. As 1993 expansion sisters, it only made sense that the Florida Marlins and Colorado Rockies used one another to compare their early success. The Rockies were the first to make the postseason, but the Marlins are the only one of the franchises to have won the World Series. Colorado held a 7-5 edge in the inaugural season, but the Marlins dominated head-to-head competition in 1994, winning nine of the 12 meetings. On this day 30 years ago, Florida won in thrilling fashion with a five-run eighth to stun the Rockies, 8-7. A five-run fifth for Colorado had put the Rockies up 7-3 as the April 28, 1994 contest at Joe Robbie Stadium headed to the bottom of the eighth. To that point, Colorado starter Greg Harris had been solid, but manager Don Baylor may have left him in for too long. After a single by Jerry Browne and a walk to Gary Sheffield started the bottom of the eighth for Florida, Harris recorded his final out of the night as Jeff Conine flew out to right. A single by Orestes Destrade cut the lead to 7-4 and ended Harris' night. With Willie Blair now in relief, the Marlins took advantage. They went ahead for good with three straight hits. Blair threw just 13 pitches but failed to record an out. Bret Barberie followed Benito Santiago's RBI single with a single of his own to load the bases. Alex Arias kept the momentum going with a two-run single to center. An error by Rockies center fielder Ellis Burks allowed a third run to score as the Marlins went ahead for good, 8-7. Bruce Ruffin was able to retire the two Florida hitters he faced to keep it a one-run game before the Rockies threatened in the ninth. Three walks loaded the bases against Florida closer Jeremy Hernandez, but the right-hander was able to get the job done. After committing the costly error in the eighth, Burks grounded into a 5-3 double play to end the contest. Although his night ended on a low note, Burks finished 2-for-4 with a solo home run and three runs scored for Colorado in the loss. Dante Bichette and Roberto Mejía also went deep for Colorado. Arias and Chuck Carr each finished with two hits and two RBIs for the Marlins. Robb Nen worked a scoreless eighth to pick up the win. The thrilling win gave the Marlins their second one-run win over Colorado in as many nights and came one week after Florida took two of three from the Rockies at Mile High Stadium. It also came on this day three decades ago. View full article

Jarrod Saltalamacchia was the hero on this day 10 years ago. A backup catcher for most of his Major League Baseball career, Jarrod Saltalamacchia played in 123 games as a member of the Miami Marlins. One of his biggest moments with the club came on this day 10 years ago. Saltalamacchia was the hero for Miami as the Marlins rallied from four runs down to top the New York Mets in 10 innings, 7-6. Saltalamacchia's solo home run to lead off the 10th was the difference. The Marlins trailed 5-1 after five innings at Citi Field on April 26, 2014. Miami finally found its offense in the sixth with five runs to take the lead. After Giancarlo Stanton's two-run homer off New York starter Jenrry Mejía cut the lead in half, Adeiny Hechavarría drew Miami even later in the inning with a two-run single. Hechavarría ended Mejía's night, but Reed Johnson followed with an RBI double to give the Marlins their first lead, 6-5. A solo home run by Omar Quintanilla in the bottom of the inning tied the game for the Mets. After three scoreless frames, the contest went to extra innings. Having been 0-for-3 with two strikeouts to that point in the game, Saltalamacchia stepped to the plate to face Kyle Farnsworth to lead off the inning. Batting from the left side, the switch-hitting Miami catcher took the sixth pitch from Farnsworth—a 2-2 belt-high fastball—over the wall in left-center field for the go-ahead blast. The Mets were able to put the tying run on base in the bottom of the inning, but Steve Cishek was able to collect the save. Hechavarría's jumping catch on a soft liner to shortstop from Bobby Abreu ended the contest. Abreu started strong with a two-run homer in the first to give the Mets an early 3-0 lead. Lucas Duda also drove in a pair of runs for New York in the loss. Casey McGehee finished 3-for-5 with two runs scored for Miami. Mike Dunn struck out four in two scoreless innings of relief to pick up the win. Over 12 years in Major League Baseball, Saltalamacchia finished his career with 110 home runs. Two of those came in extra innings, but the only game-winner in extras came as a member of the Marlins on this day 10 years ago. View full article

On this day five years ago, Starlin Castro played the role of hero in a 10-inning victory over the Philadelphia Phillies. An All-Star for the Chicago Cubs and New York Yankees, infielder Starlin Castro had a solid two-year stint with the Miami Marlins. On this day five years ago, he delivered the Fish with a two-run home run in the 10th inning for a 3-1 win over the Philadelphia Phillies. Miami hadn't scored since the third inning as it came to bat in the top of the 10th at Citizens Bank Park on April 25, 2019. Facing Héctor Neris, things didn't seem to be changing for the Marlins as a Martín Prado strikeout and a Brian Anderson pop-out opened the frame. A two-out double from Neil Walker, however, kept the inning alive. Needing just a base hit to give Miami the lead, Castro fared a little better. On the sixth pitch of the at-bat, Castro saw a pitch up and took Neris deep to left field for the go-ahead two-run shot. Sergio Romo worked a 1-2-3 bottom of the 10th to secure the win and collect the save. Philadelphia managed just four hits but did lead early on a solo home run from Sean Rodríguez in the second inning. Miami drew even a half inning later when Prado singled home Lewis Brinson. 4d7d52c7-b02994c9-fb671ace-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4 Miami starting pitcher Caleb Smith allowed just a run on three hits and a walk while striking out eight in six innings of work. The Miami bullpen of Tyler Kinley, José Quijada, Drew Steckenrider, Tayron Guerrero and Romo combined to hold the Phillies to just one hit in four innings of scoreless relief. Walker finished with three of the 12 Miami hits. Castro and catcher Jorge Alfaro each added two hits in the victory. César Hernández finished with two of the four hits for the Phillies. Over his 12 years in the big leagues, Castro finished with 138 career home runs. His only blast in extra innings lifted the Marlins to a win in Philadelphia on this day five years ago. View full article

On this day 10 years ago, José Fernández was near flawless as the Miami Marlins beat the Atlanta Braves, 1-0. During his time with the Miami Marlins, José Fernández was rarely the beneficiary of a lot of run support. That, however, didn't stop the young right-hander from finishing with a winning record in each of his four years. On this day 10 years ago, Fernández was exceptional. In a pitchers' duel, Fernández outdueled Alex Wood as Miami edged the Atlanta Braves, 1-0. The Marlins were looking to even the series as they arrived at Turner Field for the middle game of a three-game set on April 22, 2014. Both pitchers would go eight innings but a fourth-inning run was the difference. After Giancarlo Stanton doubled to open the fourth off Wood, Casey McGehee drove him home with an RBI single one pitch later. That was all Fernández would need. Over his eight innings, Fernández allowed just three hits and no walks while tying a career-high with 14 strikeouts. In the fifth, Fernández struck out the side on just 13 pitches. The Miami starter fanned Justin Upton, Evan Gattis, and Dan Uggla each three times. The Braves were able to place just two runners in scoring position throughout the night. Wood was almost as good, yielding just a run on four hits with no walks while striking out 11. After Fernández finished his day with 109 pitches, closer Steve Cishek was able to seal the deal. Following a pair of groundouts to open the bottom of the ninth, Cishek channeled his inner-Fernández and struck out Freddie Freeman to end the game. It was Freeman's third strikeout of the day. Fernández's 2014 season would be cut short to injury that required Tommy John surgery. He returned in the middle of the 2015 season before putting together a second All-Star campaign in 2016. Fernández died tragically in a 2016 boating incident, but his legacy lives on. Over his four seasons with the Marlins, he posted a 38-17 career record. Two of those wins were 1-0 victories. The first came in Atlanta on this day a decade ago. View full article

20 years ago today, Mike Lowell became the first Marlins player to homer three times in one game as the Fish edged the Phillies in extra innings. Third baseman Mike Lowell certainly had his share of postseason heroics with the Florida Marlins and Boston Red Sox, but on this day 20 years ago, the Gold Glove third baseman did something that no Marlin had ever done -- leave the yard three times in one game. The reigning world champion Florida Marlins were riding high on April 21, 2004 as they looked to clinch the series by taking the middle game of a three-game set at Citizens Bank Park against the Philadelphia Phillies. Florida was 9-4 on the young season compared to just 5-7 for Philadelphia. Through five and a half innings, a solo home run by Lowell off Philadelphia starter Eric Milton to lead off the second inning accounted for all the scoring. Then in the bottom of the sixth, the Phillies pushed across five runs with a two-run homer from Jim Thome putting Philadelphia ahead. Trailing 5-1 entering the seventh, Florida answered back with five runs of its own. After the Marlins pushed across runs on an error and a Miguel Cabrera RBI single, Lowell came to the plate with a runner on and Florida trailing 5-3. On a 2-1 pitch, Lowell hammered a pitch over the left-center wall for a two-run shot to tie the game at five. The Marlins went ahead two pitches later when Wil Cordero homered to make it back-to-back blasts. The 6-5 Florida lead would last until the bottom of the eighth when Ricky Ledee took Florida reliever Chad Fox deep for a two-run shot to put the Phillies back ahead. With Philadelphia leading 7-6, lefty Billy Wagner was brought in to close things out in the ninth. The first batter he would see would be Lowell. With one swing of the bat on a 3-2 pitch, Lowell took Wagner deep to left field, becoming the first Florida Marlin ever to homer three times in one game. The solo shot would also even the game 7-7 and ultimately force extra innings. The contest would go to the 12th before the Marlins plated the next run. Luis Castillo's sacrifice fly ultimately proved to be the game-winner, scoring Juan Pierre. Pierre had reached on a walk before stealing second and advancing to third on a throwing error by Philadelphia catcher Mike Lieberthal. o4y5jp.mp4 Florida reliever Justin Wayne faced the minimum in the 11th and 12th innings to pick up the win. Lowell finished the night 4-for-6 with four RBIs and the three long balls. Florida's Jeff Conine and Philadelphia's Bobby Abreu each had three hits. The contest was played under protest after Philadelphia second baseman Plácido Polanco had a ninth-inning hit get wedged under the outfield wall on what was determined to be a ground-rule double. The protest was ultimately denied as the Marlins improved to 10-4 with the 8-7 extra-inning victory. Lowell remains one of only three Marlins to hit three home runs in a game. Cody Ross would accomplish the feat in 2006 against the New York Mets before Brian Anderson went yards three times in the Miami Marlins' September 2020 victory over the Washington Nationals. The first time it was done for the Fish was on this day two decades ago. View full article

On this day 15 years ago, the Florida Marlins erased a ninth-inning deficit for a third straight game. After opening the 2009 season with a home sweep of the Washington Nationals, the Florida Marlins paid a visit to the nation's capital for a three-game set less than three weeks later. In each of the three games, the Marlins found themselves behind in the ninth inning. In each of those games, the Marlins rallied for victory. Florida completed the three-game sweep on this day 15 years ago. Down a run entering the final frame, the Marlins pushed across four runs to stun the Nationals for a third straight day, 7-4. After the Marlins tied the game on a solo home run by Cody Ross in the top of the eighth inning at Nationals Park on April 19, 2009, Washington went right back in front in the bottom of the inning as Ryan Zimmerman grounded into a fielder's choice, coupled with an error. With a 4-3 lead entering the top of the ninth, the Nationals turned to right-hander Saúl Rivera. Rivera opened his night by walking Emilio Bonifacio. He was able to get ahead of John Baker, but couldn't put him away as the Marlins catcher doubled into the left-center field gap. Bonifacio scored with ease to tie the game but Rivera appeared to have settled himself. Sandwiched around an intentional walk to Ross Gload, Rivera struck out both Hanley Ramírez and Dan Uggla. Needing just an out to keep the score tied, Rivera walked Cameron Maybin, which brought the red-hot Ross to the plate. Ross was 2-for-3 for the night and had already homered twice in the series, including in the previous at-bat. After falling behind 2-0 in the count, Rivera served one up to Ross. The Florida outfielder lined it into the gap in right-center field for a bases-clearing double to give Florida a 7-4 lead. Matt Lindstrom closed the door with a 1-2-3 ninth to pick up the save. Despite giving up the go-ahead run in the eighth, Juan Carlos Oviedo (then known as Leo Núñez) picked up the win. Ross finished with five RBIs and just a triple shy of the cycle. Baker finished with a pair of doubles and two RBIs in the win. Nick Johnson, Adam Dunn and Austin Kearns each had two hits for the Nationals. Prior to the ninth inning, Florida never led. Washington used RBI singles from Elijah Dukes and Kearns to take a 2-0 lead in the first inning. The Marlins got on the board in the third when Baker doubled home starting pitcher Chris Volstad. After Washington got a run back in the fifth, Ross singled home Ramirez in the sixth before tying the game with his solo shot in the eighth. The Marlins won their first nine meetings with Washington during the 2009 season and took the season series 12-6. Their third of three straight comeback wins at Nationals Park came on this day 15 years ago. View full article

Giancarlo Stanton hit his second walk-off grand slam 10 years ago today. During his time with the Florida/Miami Marlins, Giancarlo Stanton hit three walk-off home runs, including two walk-off grand slams. The last of those came on this day 10 years ago as the right-handed slugger blasted the Miami Marlins past the Seattle Mariners, 8-4. The Marlins hadn't scored since the third inning as they came to bat in the bottom of the ninth of a 4-4 game at Marlins Park on April 18, 2014. Facing Yoervis Medina, Miami needed to see only three pitches to put the winning run in scoring position. The Marlins opened the inning with singles from Reed Johnson and Christian Yelich. On a bunt attempt by Marcell Ozuna, Seattle appeared to get Johnson, the lead runner, at third but a challenge by Miami proved fruitful as the review determined that Mariners third baseman Kyle Seager bobbled the ball. That set the stage for Stanton. With the bases loaded and nobody out, Stanton needed only a flyball to end the contest. Down 1-2 in the count, Stanton saw a breaking ball that hung over the middle of the plate—and he didn't miss it. His blast to left-center field cleared the wall with ease for his second walk-off grand slam in 23 months. Stanton's bomb capped a 3-for-5 night in which he drove in five and scored twice. It also atoned for a fielding error by Stanton in the second inning that allowed two unearned runs to score and draw Seattle even. The Marlins regained the lead in the bottom of the second on a sacrifice fly from Ozuna before pushing the advantage to 4-2 on a solo blast from catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia. The Mariners used an RBI groundout from Brad Miller in the fifth and an RBI single from Corey Hart in the seventh to even the score. Yelich also had a three-hit night for Miami in the win. Abraham Almonte, Seager, and Hart each finished with a pair of hits for the Mariners. While Medina took the loss for Seattle, Steve Cishek worked a 1-2-3 ninth to earn the win for Miami. A member of the New York Yankees since 2018, Stanton now has five walk-off home runs to his name. His last as a member of the Marlins came on this day a decade ago. View full article

The Marlins achieved the best 10-game start in franchise history on April 17, 2009. With the exception of the two championship years, the 2009 Florida Marlins won more games than any other team in franchise history. During an 87-75 campaign, the Marlins battled for plenty of exhilarating wins, including one that took place on this day 15 years ago. Trailing in the ninth inning at Nationals Park on April 17, 2009, Cody Ross forced extra innings with a solo home run. In the extra frame, Jeremy Hermida came through with the winning RBI as the Marlins rallied past the Washington Nationals, 3-2. Leading 2-1 entering the top of the ninth, Washington turned to closer Joel Hanrahan to try to slam the door. Hanrahan's night got off to a good start as he opened the inning by getting Hermida to ground out. Enter Ross. 0-for-3 with a pair of strikeouts to that point, Ross was able to work the count even at 2-2 before lining one down the line and over the left-field wall for the game-tying solo blast. x6jwg7.mp4 After Juan Carlos Oviedo (then known as Leo Núñez) worked a scoreless bottom of the inning, the Marlins mounted a two-out rally to take the lead. John Baker and Hanley Ramirez started the top of the 10th with back-to-back groundouts against Saul Rivera, but three straight singles from Jorge Cantú, Dan Uggla and Hermida followed. Hermida's infield single plated Cantú as Florida took its first lead since the fourth inning. Washington threatened in the 10th as Elijah Dukes led off the frame with a double off Marlins closer Matt Lindstrom. Lindstrom was able to settle in by getting Josh Willingham, a former Marlin, to hit a weak flyball to right before striking out Jesús Flores and Alberto Gonzalez to end the contest. Prior to the ninth, all the scoring came in the fourth inning. Baker's solo home run put the Marlins on the board in the top of the inning but Washington answered with two runs in the bottom of the frame. Gonzalez's RBI double off Ricky Nolasco evened the score. Gonzalez came around to give the Nationals the lead later in the inning on an RBI single from Anderson Hernández. Cantú had two hits for the Marlins while Gonzalez led Washington with three hits. Ryan Zimmerman, Flores and Nick Johnson each had two hits for the Nationals in the loss. Oviedo picked up the win while Rivera took the loss. Lindstrom recorded the save. The come-from-behind victory gave the Marlins a 9-1 record early on during the 2009 season, marking their best 10-game start in franchise history. It came on this day 15 years ago. View full article

Jorge Alfaro was the hero for Miami in Atlanta five years ago. Catcher Jorge Alfaro's three-year tenure with the Miami Marlins was a mixed bag. In 2019, however, the Colombian catcher enjoyed a career year. On this day five years ago, Alfaro had one of his finest moments. His two-run ninth-inning blast, Alfaro's second home run of the night, lifted the Marlins to a thrilling 4-2 win over the Atlanta Braves. The April 6, 2019 contest as SunTrust Park had been tied since the fifth inning as Miami came to bat against Atlanta's A.J. Minter in the top of the ninth. The inning started with a brilliant at-bat from Starlin Castro, who singled the 11th pitch from Minter through the left side for a single. Alfaro had homered in the fifth to get the scoring started for the Marlins. Facing Minter, Alfaro worked the count to 2-2 before getting an outside fastball up and blasting it over the right-field wall for his second opposite-field home run of the evening to put Miami ahead for good. With Miami leading 4-2, the Braves loaded the bases in the bottom of the ninth. Adam Conley was able to get Charlie Culberson to pop out to end the contest. Entering the fifth inning, the Marlins were on the short end of a 2-0 score but drew even in the frame with solo home runs from Alfaro and Peter O'Brien. Alfaro finished with three of the eight hits for Miami. Freddie Freeman went 2-for-3 with an RBI for the Braves. Sergio Romo worked a 1-2-3 eighth to pick up his first win as a member of the Marlins. For the 2019 season, Alfaro hit .262 with 18 homers and 57 RBIs, both career-highs. His first career multi-homer game included a game-winner on this day five years ago. View full article