Marlin Memories

Photo by Eliot J. Schechter/Getty Images Over the last couple weeks, the Miami Marlins have had their fair share of exciting victories. That was also the case for the then-Florida Marlins on this day 15 years ago. The Marlins were 28-20 and in first place in the National League East as they prepared for the middle game of a three-game set against the New York Mets at Pro Player Stadium on May 29, 2004. Florida took the lead in the first as Lenny Harris grounded into a double play to plate a run. The Mets drew even on a Ty Wiggington solo homer in the second inning and took the lead in the fourth on a Karim Garcia RBI single. Álex González’s RBI single in the bottom of that inning scored Jeff Conine and evened the contest. Florida had won in walk-off fashion more than a week before against the Arizona Diamondbacks on a bases-loaded walk to Mike Redmond, but the only walk-off home run of the season for 2004 would come against the Mets off the bat of Mike Lowell. An All-Star,

Getty Images The 1999 season wasn’t one that the Florida Marlins will remember with any particular fondness, but like any other baseball season, it had its fair share of memories. One of the most thrilling from that particular season took place on this day two decades ago. The Marlins were a league-worst 6-22 as they made their way to Dodger Stadium to begin a three-game set against the Los Angeles Dodgers on May 7, 1999. Florida had lost eight straight heading into the contest and had failed to win a series all season. That trend looked to inevitably continue as Florida trailed 3-1 after six innings. To that point, the Marlins had mustered just a run on four hits against Los Angeles starter Darren Dreifort before stringing hits together in the top of the seventh. After an RBI double from Todd Dunwoody cut the Dodgers’ lead in half, Dreifort intentionally walked catcher Jorge Fabregas to load the bases. From there, Los Angeles went to the bullpen and Florida went to the bench