Marlins Ace Alcantara Secures First Career Save in Win Over Arizona

Alcantara steps up in relief

The Miami Marlins pulled off a major surprise on Wednesday night, using their ace starter Sandy Alcantara to secure a 4-3 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks. Marlins manager Clayton McCullough called on Alcantara to pitch the ninth inning, just two days after the pitcher had thrown 101 pitches without getting a decision.

Alcantara, who leads the major leagues with 206 innings pitched this season, showed his class under pressure. After getting two deep flyouts, he walked Lars Nootbaar. The game ended when catcher Joe Mack threw out pinch runner Jordan Lawlar at second base. It was Alcantara's first career save. He has made 201 big league starts, with his only eight previous relief appearances coming back in 2017.

How the runs were scored

Miami got on the scoreboard early. Jakob Marsee doubled to start a second inning that produced two runs. The Marlins loaded the bases, allowing Heriberto Hernández to drive in a run with an infield single. Another run scored following a throwing error by Arizona third baseman Nolan Arenado. Hernández finished the night with four of Miami's ten hits.

Marsee then hit a two run home run in the third inning off Arizona starter Merrill Kelly, scoring Javier Sanoja. That was Marsee's 11th home run of the season.

Arizona fought back with home runs from Pavin Smith, Gabriel Moreno, and Arenado. Moreno had three hits to raise his batting average to .307. However, the Diamondbacks could not complete the comeback. Kelly, making his 200th major league start, took the loss after giving up four runs in less than five innings.

Playoff race impact

This result has big implications for the postseason. The Marlins improved to 76-77, keeping themselves on the fringe of the National League playoff race.

The defeat hurts the Diamondbacks, who fall to 80-73. Arizona now trails San Diego by 3.5 games for the final National League wild card spot, with only nine games left in the regular season.