10-year Marliniversary: Marlins tally club record 10 hits in 9-run 3rd at Pittsburgh

In baseball, it’s often the big inning that turns a close game into a laugher. On this day 10 years ago, the Florida Marlins had one of their biggest innings ever. The Marlins recorded a club record 10 hits during a nine-run inning in a 13-4 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Florida took a 2-1 lead into the third inning in the opening game of a three-game set at PNC Park on Sept. 9, 2011. The Marlins had managed to quadruple their lead before even recording an out.

Against Pittsburgh starter Ross Ohlendorf, Giancarlo (then known as Mike) Stanton started the frame with a single. That was followed by a Logan Morrison double. An error on right fielder Ryan Ludwick allowed Stanton to score to push the lead to 3-1.

The scoring didn’t stop there.An RBI single by José López was followed by singles from Bryan Petersen and John Buck to load the bases. Ohlendorf’s night was done prior to the Buck single, but Daniel McCutchen didn’t fare much better for the Pirates.

Pitcher Ricky Nolasco then singled to drive in the third Florida run of the inning. Emilio Bonifacio recorded the first out of the inning, but his flyball brought home Petersen. Three pitches later, Omar Infante blasted a three-run home run—his second of the night—to left to give the Marlins a 9-1 lead.

After Greg Dobbs flied out to left field, Donnie Murphy singled to chase McCutchen. Aaron Thompson became the third Pittsburgh hurler to pitch in the inning, but he immediately gave up a two-run home run to Morrison.

That would cap the scoring for Florida in the inning, but Petersen would add his second single of the frame and team-record 10th hit of the inning following a walk to Gaby Sanchez. Buck popped up to finally end the inning.

The Marlins would finish the night with 22 hits. Morrison had four of those while scoring three runs and driving in three more. Murphy also scored three runs in the victory. Infante finished with five RBIs.

Six other Marlins, including the pitcher Nolasco, collected two hits. No player with more than one plate appearance went hitless for the Marlins. Pedro Ciriaco drove in two of the four runs for the Pirates.

The Marlins have had more runs in an inning than the nine scored in the third in Pittsburgh, including a pair of 11-run frames in recent years. But the sheer volume of hits made this rally unique a decade ago.