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As the Astros, Nationals and Yankees continue to fight it out for MLB supremacy, fans of baseball’s other 27 teams are left to reflect and look forward to next year. This past season wasn’t one to remember with fondness for the Miami Marlins, but it did have its moments.
The Marlins finished the 2019 campaign with a record of 57-105, the second-worst in franchise history. With low expectations, the Marlins finished with the worst record in the National League, but better than both the Baltimore Orioles and Detroit Tigers.
While there is reason to believe that better days are ahead, 2019 had a few moments that kept us coming back. In what will be the first of a three-part series, we begin counting down the 15 best moments from the Marlins this past season.
15. Alfaro’s Ninth-Inning Blast Gives Fish First Road Win
Miami Marlins 4, Atlanta Braves 2
April 6, 2019
The Marlins had lost four straight as they entered the middle game of their first road series of the season against the Atlanta Braves. The Marlins trailed 2-0 before Peter O’Brien and Jorge Alfaro hit back-to-back home runs in the fifth inning. With the score still tied in the ninth, Alfaro put Miami ahead for good with a two-run homer off Atlanta’s A.J. Minter.
14. Ramirez’s Walk-off Does in Reds
Cincinnati Reds 3, Miami Marlins 4
Aug. 29, 2019 (12 innings)
The Miami Marlins hit just two walk-off home runs in 2019 and outfielder Harold Ramirez had both. The latter of the two came in late August against the Cincinnati Reds. With the contest tied 3-3 in the bottom of the 12th inning, Ramirez took Cincinnati reliever Raisel Iglesias deep to left field on the third pitch he saw as the Marlins avoided the four-game sweep.
13. Pick-off Ends Trip St. Louis
Miami Marlins 7, St. Louis Cardinals 6
June 20, 2019 (11 innings)
The Marlins’ lone trip to St. Louis ended in a Miami series victory and in unlikely fashion. After a two-run home run from JT Riddle in the top of the 11th put the Marlins up 7-5, the Cardinals cut that lead in half on an RBI double from catcher Yadier Molina. With two outs and the tying run at second, the Cardinals turned to pitcher Jack Flaherty to run for Molina. Before catcher Matt Wieters could see a pitch from Miami closer Sergio Romo, Flaherty was picked off at second base to end the game and series.
12. Anderson Delivers First Walk-off Win
San Diego Padres 3, Miami Marlins 4
July 18, 2019
Through 93 games in 2019, the Miami Marlins had 35 wins, but none by way of walk-off. That changed during the rubber game of a three-game series against San Diego. After a one-out single from Garrett Cooper and a stolen base by Yadiel Rivera, Brian Anderson sent the Padres home with a walk-off single down the third-base line off Trey Wingenter. It would be the first of five walk-off victories for the season.
11. Marlins Rally From Seven Runs Down on Players’ Weekend
Philadelphia Phillies 11, Miami Marlins 19
Aug. 23, 2019
In their futuristic uniforms, the Miami Marlins looked dead in the water during the first game of a three-game set against the Philadelphia Phillies on Aug. 23. The Phillies led 7-0 after two and a half innings. When all was said and done, the Marlins scored an eight-run victory in the highest scoring game in the history of Marlins Park. The Marlins drew even with seven runs in the third before going ahead for good with five in the fifth and providing the exclamation point with four in the eighth. Starlin Castro homered twice, finishing the night with five RBIs and three runs scored. Isan Díaz and Jon Berti also homered. Berti, Neil Walker, Harold Ramirez and Jorge Alfaro all had three hits.