25-Year Marliniversary: Marlins, Bowen Pitch First Shutout in Franchise History

(Photo: Getty Images)
When the Florida Marlins headed to St. Louis in mid-May of 1993, the team had already crossed a number of firsts off its list.

On May 15, 1993 at Busch Stadium however, the team was able to add another one. At 15-20, the Marlins were performing better than most had expected in their inaugural season of baseball, but what the team had yet to do was shut out an opponent. On that Saturday evening in St. Louis, starting pitcher Ryan Bowen made sure that would change.

In a contest that lasted just over two and a half hours, the Marlins topped the St. Louis Cardinals, 8-0, for their first shutout win ever. Bowen not only got the win for Florida, but he went the distance.

Bowen became the first-ever Florida hurler to toss a complete game shutout. Bowen threw 119 pitches over nine innings, scattering six hits and four walks while striking out three.

Bowen worked out of trouble in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings and was helped throughout the night by getting future Hall of Fame shortstop Ozzie Smith to hit into a pair of double plays. Bowen capped the contest by striking out infielder Luis Alicea looking.

As for the offense, the Marlins were fueled by lead-off man Chuck Carr and the infield. Carr, third baseman Rick Renteria, second baseman Alex Arias and shortstop Walt Weiss each had two hits for Florida. Carr, Renteria and Weiss each drove in a pair of runs while Arias scored twice. The Marlins scored runs in five of the final six innings, including three in the fifth and two in the eighth.

Since that time, the Marlins have kept a number of opponents off the scoreboard, including the New York Yankees in the clinching Game 6 of the 2003 World Series. The first shutout in franchise history however, took place on this day 25 years ago.  

Mike Ferguson is the founder of Marlins Memories. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson.

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