Miami Magic: Marlins pull off third walk off win over Pirates

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Miami, Florida – There’s magic in the air for Opening Weekend at Miami as the Marlins pulled off yet another walk-off win, edging the Pittsburgh Pirates 3-2. Derek Hill led off the ninth with a single, proceeding to steal second base and advancing toward third on a throwing error by catcher Endy Rodríguez. A wild pitch by two-time All-Star David Bednar allowed Hill to race home securing the game-winning run.  Max Meyer tied his career high of seven strikeouts through five and two-thirds innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits. Meyer’s outing is the deepest of the rotation so far. Cal Quantrill will start tomorrow to complete the staff’s first turn.

3 walk-offs say whaaaaat pic.twitter.com/188qPiXqMQ

— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) March 30, 2025

Griffin Conine airlifted his first home run of the season, a game-tying solo shot in the seventh, on the same day his father, Jeff Conine, was inducted into the Marlins Hall of Fame. The lights-out performance by the relievers supported Miami’s timely hitting and Meyer’s efficient start. The bullpen had been solid throughout the series surpassing the rotation in innings pitched. Defensively, the team suffered a lapse in the fifth that resulted in a run, however, catcher Nick Fortes came up with a pair of stops in the eighth and ninth, turning away the Pirates. Kyle Stowers also contributed with an impactful catch in the ninth, likely saving a run. The Fish improve to 3-1, taking the series over the Pittsburgh Pirates, a stark contrast to last year’s result when the Bucs swept all four games.

FOR DAD! pic.twitter.com/K8fXoG46Yd

— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) March 30, 2025

Winning with grit

Andrew McCutchen broke the deadlock early in the second with his first homer of the season. Meyer was ahead in the count but McCutchen got a piece of his up-and-in fastball and launched it over the left-field fence. The Fish swiftly responded via the Fortes RBI double. Jonah Bride had walked to start the inning, followed by Derek Hill reaching base on a bunt forceout. Fortes slapped a liner to left field to tie it.

And we are on the board 💥 pic.twitter.com/8OVhTtKAqK

— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) March 30, 2025

Meyer and the Marlins’ defense ran into issues in the fifth. Meyer walked Rodríguez before retiring the next two hitters. However, first baseman Eric Wagaman committed a throwing error during the Enmanuel Valdez groundout, allowing Rodríguez to advance to third. Isiah Kiner-Falefa poked an RBI single past shortstop Xavier Edwards for the 2-1 lead. Miami nearly tied it when Bryan Reynolds made a terrific diving catch, robbing Otto Lopez of at least an RBI double. Despite the setback, the Fish knotted it up thanks to Conine. David Bednar’s wild pitch in the ninth sealed the visiting team’s fate.

Griffin Conine talks postgame about his dad being honored and inducted in the #Marlins Legends Hall of Fame and his game tying home run helping Miami get the series win @LemonCityLive @Gabewritesports pic.twitter.com/Ek1SsYwXOl

— Alex “Milo” Aguirre (@aguirrethecap33) March 30, 2025

Heaney was the 9th pick overall of the 2012 MLB Draft, selected by the Marlins. He made his major league debut in 2014.  Heaney recorded seven appearances, including five starts, going 0-3 with a 5.83 ERA. It proved to be his only season with the ball club. Heaney was involved in a three-team trade on December 11, 2014, as part of a deal that brought in Dee Gordon, Dan Haren, and Miguel Rojas from the Dodgers before getting shipped out to the Angels in exchange for Howie Kendrick that same day.

Max Meyer talks about his outing today giving up one earned run, striking out 7 all with his slider and matching a career high. @LemonCityLive @Gabewritesports pic.twitter.com/UH7t7zVTu2

— Alex “Milo” Aguirre (@aguirrethecap33) March 30, 2025

A Tribute to a Marlins HOF’er

Two-time World Series champion Jeff Conine was inducted into the Marlins Legends Hall of Fame as its inaugural member in a pre-game ceremony. Conine was drafted in the 58th round of the 1987 MLB June Amateur Draft by the Kansas City Royals from UCLA. The Florida Marlins selected Conine in the 1992 MLB expansion Draft. Mr. Marlin became a star in his rookie year during the franchise’s inaugural 1993 season. He went four-for-four in his first game as a Marlin in a 6–3 victory against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Conine played in 17 seasons for MLB, eight of those with the Marlins.

Legendary moments, Mr. Marlin style. 📽️ To see the full version, visit https://t.co/f1rBDtOsZO pic.twitter.com/ojjTfvEZBH

— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) March 30, 2025

One of Jeff Conine’s most memorable moments came on October 4, 2003, during game four of the NLDS. Jeffrey Hammonds hit a single to left as Conine fired a one-hopper to home plate, gunning down J.T. Snow, who collided with Ivan Rodriguez on the play. Pudge held on to the ball, and the rest is history. I was in the stands that fateful day. My old man took me to see my first-ever playoff game, and it was an unforgettable experience. Dad called Snow out the moment the ball left Conine’s hand, and when it was revealed Rodriguez held onto the ball that stadium shook. It’s a memory I will cherish for the rest of my life.

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