Greatest Moments in Marlins History: #7 Mike Mordecai’s Game 6 Double

Aug 20, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; People walk in the stands as the sun sets during a ballgame between the Chicago Cubs and the Washington Nationals at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

Welcome back to the Greatest Moments in Marlins History. We are going back to that infamous 6^th game of the NLCS. In moment 43 we talked about Steve Bartman, but other things had to happen that inning for the Marlins to pull off their comeback. The Marlins didn’t leave it up to a fan; they left it up to their players. Moment 7 shows that not only did all the players on the Marlins show up that inning, one in particular broke the game wide open for the Fish: Mike Mordecai’s 3 run double in the 8^th inning of the 2003 NLCS.

Let’s pick up after the Steve Bartman moment (if you want to read about click here). Luis Castillo drew a walk on a wild pitch which allowed Juan Pierre to reach 3^rd base. Ivan Rodriguez came up and quickly got 2 strikes. Pitch 3 wasn’t so lucky for the Cubs as Pudge sent it to left field to score Juan and move Luis to 2^nd base. Up came Miguel Cabrera. The first pitch Miggy saw he smacked right to shortstop Alex Gonzalez for what appeared to be an inning ending double… but wait he bobbled the ball! The bases were now loaded for Derrek Lee. With his first swing he tied the game with a 2 run double. To set up a double play, the Cubs walked Mike Lowell and the bases were loaded again, this time for Jeff Conine. His bat gave the Marlins the lead with a sac fly scoring Miggy. The Marlins still wanted a few insurance runs, and boy were they coming.

Todd Hollandsworth came in to pinch hit for Chad Fox. Todd was 3 for 3 this series with 2 RBIs, so the Cubs walked him, feeling it was safer to pitch to Mordecai. Todd was given a free pass to 1^st base to load the bases once again.  Boy, was that a mistake. Up came Mordecai. The Marlins have batted around the order this inning, and the last time Mordecai came up this inning he hit a pop fly out to left field. He felt now it was time for him to redeem himself. The first pitch Mordecai got was a ball. Mordecai stepped out, looked around the field, and stepped right back in for a called strike. Ok, Mordecai nodded, and got right back in there for pitch three, a ball. Mordecai wanted the next pitch and did he get it. Pitch four came to home plate and Mordecai sent it flying into left/center field, right off the ivy! 2 outs and everyone was running!  3 runs scored and Mordecai busted the game wide open for the Marlins with his 3 run double!

Juan would single in Mordecai the next at bat and give the Marlins an 8-3 lead. That would be all they needed to send this series to game 7. Join me tomorrow as I bring you a moment that holds a very special place in my heart.