Last night was, by far, one of the most exciting Marlins games I have ever attended. The game went back and forth, with amazing clutch home runs by both the Rockies and the Marlins late in the game. I still have not come down from that cloud, and I would love to share my experience with you!
When driving to work, I heard on the radio that Ubaldo Jimenez was going to pitch against the Marlins. Immediately, I called my dad to see if he wanted to go to the game, which of course he did. He then called his season ticket partner, who was able to give him a voucher to get the best seats available. So, after work, I met him in front of the stadium and decided to kill some time before the first pitch going through the souvenir shop, which was a blast. They have just about every Marlins item you can imagine, and more. However, I didn't buy anything because, let's face it, I'm broke.
Our seats were first row, right on the field, next to the Marlins' dugout! So before the game, I was able to talk with Hanley Ramirez and Cody Ross, and watch them warm up. It was then that we had a server, no kidding, come and give us our ordered food! This is a perk I can totally get used to.
Once the game began, both the Rockies' Jimenez and Marlins' Sanchez were throwing the ball well, keeping the game close through 5 innings, when mayhem struck. Up 3-2, Sanchez gave up a two run double to his counterpart, Jimenez, down the right field line to give the Rockies a 4-3 lead. In the bottom of the inning, Mike Stanton hit one of the hardest balls I've ever seen hit into the blue seats in left center field off a low-outside pitch for a 3-run home run. Needless to say, this brought the entire crowd to their feet to cheer on the rookie phenom.
The Marlins would later score another run in the bottom of the 7th inning on a 2-out push-bunt single by Hanley Ramirez, bringing home Emilio Bonifacio, to give the Fish a commanding 7-4 lead going into the top of the 8th inning. In the top of the 8th, Ian Stewart hit a solo home run, followed later by a 2-out, 3-run home run by Jonathan Herrera, the first of his career. This blow all but knocked the wind out of the entire stadium, players and fans, as the Rockies stole an 8-7 lead late.
But little did we know that there would be an unsuspecting hero waiting to get his chance in the bottom of the 9th! With two outs in the bottom of the 9th, Dan Uggla drew a walk to bring up pinch hitter Donnie Murphy, who had been called up just three weeks earlier from AAA. As he was announced to the crowd, my dad and I were commenting that the Marlins had no depth, because bringing up such an inexperienced player spells almost certain doom. After Murphy took the first pitch for a ball, Huston Street tried to squeeze a 1-0 fastball on the outer half, and Murphy knew exactly what to do with it! Murphy delivered a 2-out, 2-run home run to right field for a walk-off win, keeping the Marlins' playoff hopes alive!
Afterwards, he, of course, was interviewed. As many fans expected, Marlins pranksters Cody Ross and Emilio Bonifacio snuck behind Murphy during his post-game interview, and covered him with shaving cream! Welcome to the Marlins Donnie.
Often times, these are the types of wins that can carry a team for the rest of the season. These games can be the spark that sets off a contagious chain reaction of winning that can land a team in the playoffs. Currently, the Marlins are six games shy of the National League Wild Card, and closing quickly. Perhaps if the bullpen keeps their end of the bargain, with a little health and luck, we can still be in contention come September!
GO MARLINS!
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