Miami’s ace channeled his inner Randy Johnson, returning on zero days' rest to stifle a Diamondbacks rally and keep the Marlins' slim postseason hopes alive in Phoenix.
In the city that is honoring the 25th anniversary of its lone championship, it is fittingly ironic to see Sandy Alcantara do something that hasn’t been done since one of the legends of the desert.
The Marlins ace became the first big league pitcher to throw a 100-pitch start one day and then close out the next game since Randy Johnson pulled off the feat in 1993. Alcantara came out of the bullpen to secure the Marlins' 4-3 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday in Phoenix.
When the Marlins catcher saw Alcantara leaving the bullpen in the ninth, his initial thoughts were “What the heck?” But in a close game like this one, might as well go with their best arm.
“It was his first career save so it was pretty awesome,” Mack told Marlins Radio. “His presence out there on the mound is a little bit intimidating for sure so just making sure that we’re doing everything we can to support him.”
Miami has won five of its six matchups with Arizona (80-73), who is 3.5 games behind the San Diego Padres for the third and final National League wild card spot. The Marlins’ only loss to the Snakes came on a walk-off home run by Corbin Carroll after their closer left the mound with nerve irritation.
“We know we are in an absolute dogfight,” Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said, “and every game matters.”
Sitting at 7.5 games out of the playoffs and facing impending elimination, the Marlins (76-77) are left to play spoiler and fight for their first winning season since 2023.
The game ended on Mack gunning down Jordan Lawler at second base. Mack entered the game tied for second among MLB catchers in caught stealings, only one shy of William Contreras of the Milwaukee Brewers.
“I didn’t expect it,” Mack said. “I kind of knew because they put in a pinch runner and he’s a fast guy.”
Jakob Marsee hit a two-run homer to put the Marlins up 4-1 in the third inning. Since Sept. 6, Marsee has gone 17-for-35 with two home runs and seven RBI.
The Diamondbacks scored all of their runs via the long ball. Pavin Smith (2nd inning), Gabriel Moreno (5th) and Nolan Arenado (8th) each hit solo shots to put the Diamondbacks within a run of the Marlins.
Ryan Gusto went 4.1 innings with two runs allowed on eight hits with four strikeouts for the Marlins. After using eight different pitchers on Tuesday, the Marlins opted to let Cade Gibson (W, 5-1) and Jack Ralston pitch 3.2 innings before handing the ball to Alcantara in the ninth.
Merrill Kelly struck out nine batters in 4.2 innings for the Diamondbacks, while allowing three runs on seven hits.
The Marlins will travel to San Diego to take on the Padres on Friday. While their playoff hopes seem slim, sweeping San Diego will greatly increase their chances of a miracle run.
