Greatest Moments in Marlins History: #41 The Florida Spoilers Part II

Sep 28, 2013; New York, NY, USA; New York Mets third baseman David Wright (5) reacts after grounding into an inning-ending double play in the ninth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit- Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Welcome back to the Greatest Moments in Marlins History. What can be a bigger spoiler than keeping a rival out of the playoffs by beating them in the last game of the season? How about beating them in the last game of the season to keep them out of the playoffs and having that game be the last one ever played in their legendary stadium? In 2008 that is exactly what the Marlins did to the Mets. Moment 41 is the last game ever played at Shea Stadium.

Can you say déjà-vu? We enter the last game of the season with the Mets needing a win to make the playoffs. This game, however, had just a little bit more on the line. This would be the last regular season game for the Mets at Shea Stadium. The Mets had called Shea home since 1964 and were moving to Citi Field in 2009. The Mets didn’t want September 28^th to be the last game ever at Shea, but the Marlins had other plans.

The game started off as a great pitching duel between the Mets Oliver Perez and the Marlins Scott Olsen. It the first 5 innings no runner got pass 2^nd base. The Marlins struck first in the 6^th with a John Baker single that scored Cameron Maybin, and later that same inning Baker scored on a Josh Willingham bases loaded walk. The Mets would answer in the bottom of the inning with a two run homer by Carlos Beltran to even up the score at 2-2. In the 8^TH Wes Helms led the inning off with a deep shot over the left field wall. The Marlins weren’t done yet as Dan Uggla came up next with a solo shot of his own. The Marlins now had a 4-2 lead. The Mets couldn’t get a run in the 8^th and the Marlins couldn’t add insurance in the 9^th.

Here was the bottom of the 9^th in what could be the last possible game at Shea. The Mets needed 2 to send it into extras or 3 to have a walk off. In came Matt Lidstrom. First up was David Wright, who had a full count pop up to the second baseman. Out number 1. Next was Endy Chavez. He didn’t fare much better as he grounded out to the pitcher. Out number 2. Damion Easley was the next batter. Would he go down in history as the last Mets out at Shea? Nope, he walked. Ryan Church was up next. He could be the hero and tie this game up with one swing or go down in history as the last out at Shea. What did he do? Last out with a deep fly ball to center field. The Marlins win. They prevented the Mets from going to the playoffs for a second year in a row and handed the Mets a loss in the final game at Shea Stadium.

I love playing spoiler, but join me tomorrow as we take a look at a Marlins first that was a National League first as well.