Marlins reflect on Saturday's record marathon win

NEW YORK -- Those who waited out Saturday's marathon witnessed the longest game in Marlins' history.

In 20 innings, the Marlins edged the Mets, 2-1, in an endurance test that lasted six hours and 25 minutes.

Time-wise, it was a team record, surpassing what took place at Sun Life Stadium in Miami on April 27, 2003. That afternoon, the Marlins lost 7-6 to the Cardinals in 20 innings and six hours and seven minutes.

Juan Pierre played all 20 innings in 2003, and the veteran was in the lineup for 10 innings on Saturday.

"It was a little bit better because we got the W," Pierre said of Saturday. "Last time, I played all 20 innings. [Saturday] felt like a day off. I played 10 and sat out 10. It's like a day off."

Miami manager Mike Redmond actually started for the Marlins in their 20-inning loss 10 years ago, while hitting coach Tino Martinez started at first base for the Cardinals, and he went 5-for-8 in his team's victory.

In exhausting games, players battle through mental and physical fatigue.

"Once you get around 14 or 15 innings, all the rah-rah stuff is gone," Pierre said. "It's just, 'Getting it done.' We don't need to hear any more, 'Let's go! Come on!' Everybody knows what we've got to do."

Redmond says players tend to press.

"After about nine or 10 innings, you get mentally tired and physically tired," Redmond said. "You just want it to end. Sometimes, guys want it to end so badly, they end up trying to do too much. You end up playing 20 innings."