Top 15 moments from 2019 Marlins season—Part III

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 final piece of a three-part series, we begin counting down the 15 best moments from the Marlins this past season.

5. Ramirez’s Blast Completes Comeback vs. Twins

Minnesota Twins 4, Miami Marlins 5

Aug. 1, 2019 (12 innings)

The Minnesota Twins were going for the sweep of the Miami Marlins on Aug. 1 and with the Marlins down to their last three outs, it looked like a sure thing. Miami trailed 4-1 heading to the bottom of the ninth, but drew even before the Twins could record an out. After an RBI double from Jon Berti and a walk to Brian Anderson, Neil Walker tied the game with a two-run single up the middle. With a runner on third and no one out, the Marlins were unable to win the game in the ninth. After Miami relievers combined for three perfect innings in extras, Harold Ramirez blasted Cody Stashak’s 2-2 pitch into the left-field bleachers to lead off the bottom of the 12^th inning for the first walk-off hit of his career.

4. Alcantara Shines in MLB All-Star Game

National League 3, American League 4

July 9, 2019

It was unclear who would represent the Miami Marlins in the 2019 All-Star Game, but starting pitcher Sandy Alcantara got the nod and made the most of the appearance. Alcantara worked the bottom of the eighth inning in the Mid-Summer Classic in Cleveland and faced the minimum. After Gleyber Torres of the New York Yankees reached on an infield single, Alcantara struck out Kansas City’s Whit Merrifield before getting José Abreu of the Chicago White Sox to ground into an inning-ending double play.

3. Prado Hits Home Run No. 100 on Last Day of Season

Miami Marlins 4, Philadelphia Phillies 3

Sept. 29, 2019

On a day that many believe will be the last for infielder Martin Prado in a Miami Marlins uniform, the 14-year veteran had a day to remember. With Miami leading the Philadelphia Phillies 3-0, Prado would cap the scoring for the Marlins in the top of the third. Prado lifted a 2-1 pitch from Philadelphia’s Edgar Garcia over the left-field wall for his 100^th career homer. Prior to the bottom of the ninth inning, Prado was replaced during an emotional moment in which he was greeted by his teammates and applauded by a usually tough Philadelphia crowd.

2. Díaz Hits Memorable Homer in Debut

Miami Marlins 2, New York Mets 6

Aug. 5, 2019

Miami second baseman Isan Díaz made his anticipated debut in early August for a doubleheader at Citi Field against the New York Mets. The Marlins were swept in the doubleheader, but for Diaz, it was a day he would never forget. While his parents were being interviewed by Fox Sports Florida’s Craig Minervini during the Marlins’ broadcast in the top of the sixth, Diaz took three-time All-Star pitcher Jacob deGrom deep for his first career home run.

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The blast to right field completed the scoring and got quite the reaction from the family members being interviewed.

1. Marlins Rally on “University of Miami Night”

Atlanta Braves 6, Miami Marlins 7 (10 innings)

Aug. 10, 2019

What was a pitchers’ duel for most of the night turned into the Miami Marlins’ most thrilling win of the season on “University of Miami Night”. Through seven innings, Miami’s Sandy Alcantara and Atlanta’s Mike Soroka traded zeros before the Braves broke through with three runs in the eighth. The Marlins answered with two in the bottom of the inning, but three more for Atlanta in the ninth looked to put the game away. That was not the case.

Trailing 6-2 in the bottom of the ninth, seven straight Marlins reached base with one out. After back-to-back RBI singles from Jon Berti and Isan Díaz, Starlin Castro tied the game with a two-run double. Diaz tried to score from first on the play, but was thrown out at the plate. However, Miami would have to wait just one inning to end the contest. Harold Ramirez led off the bottom of the 10^th with a single before advancing to third on an errant pick-off throw. Martín Prado’s sacrifice fly to left field drove home Ramirez to end the game and complete the comeback.