This Day in Marlins History: April 7
2001
Marlins 8, Braves 0
Ryan Dempster (1-0, 2.45) got the Marlins their first win of 2001 with six scoreless innings. He allowed five walks and four hits while whiffing four Braves. Ricky Bones and Vladimir Nunez worked the final three innings and allowed a hit each but didn’t let anyone cross the plate for a combo shutout over former Marlins pitcher John Burkett.
Preston Wilson went three-for-four with two runs and an RBI to pace Florida’s offense. Cliff Floyd and Charles Johnson each had a pair of hits, including three RBI for Johnson.
2002
Phillies 3, Marlins 2, 11 innings
The Marlins dropped to 3-3 in extra innings with 18,073 looking on at Veteran’s Stadium. Cliff Floyd went deep for the Marlins in the ninth to send it to the 10th frame, but Florida’s bullpen caved when Braden Looper (0-2, 13.50) allowed four hits in 1 2/3 innings, including the walkoff homer from Pat Burrell.
The loss wasted a solid start from Ryan Dempster, who lasted eight frames and struck out six, while allowing just one run on five hits.
2003
Braves 3, Marlins 0
Maybe selective memory may have helped you forget this, but the Marlins started out their second World Series Championship season by losing 29 of their first 48 games. This early season loss to the Braves pushed Florida’s record to 2-5, as 19,326 looked on from Turner Field.
Juan Encarnacion hit two doubles and a single, while the rest of Florida’s offense went two-for-25. Carl Pavano (0-2, 6.00) struck out five and didn’t walk anyone in six innings, allowing three runs on five hits. All three runs scored on Atlanta solo-homers.