A managerial gamble backfired spectacularly, costing the Miami Marlins a near-certain win and handing the Cincinnati Reds a dramatic comeback victory.
The Miami Marlins had their ace on the mound with a two-run lead and one out in the ninth inning Tuesday night against the Cincinnati Reds. But the Fish lost 6-3 in 10 innings after a blunder by Marlins skipper Clayton McCullough.
Sandy Alcantara was at the tail-end of pitching another shutout for Miami and the only question was whether he was going to have a second "Maddox" in a row.
A Maddox, named in honor of Hall of Famer Greg Maddox, is when a pitcher throws a complete-game shutout in less than 100 pitches. Alcantra threw 95 pitches and 74 strikes.
McCullough had second thoughts about letting his star pitcher finish what he started. After Alcantara got into a bit of trouble in the ninth, McCullough panicked and went to the pen. Alcantara surrendered a walk and a double, his first extra-base hit this season.
He yanked Alcantara, who had the game under control, and inserted Anthony Bender. The Marlins did not have the luxury of bringing in their highly paid closer, Pete Fairbanks, as he remains out on paternity leave.
McCullough tossed his ace for three jokers.
When Bender came out of the bullpen, he was met with a chorus of boos. You could sense the air being let out of loanDepot Park, regardless of whatever it was McCullough was thinking.
"He [Alcantara] threw the ball great and we got to the ninth, and they got a few guys on, and I felt the best thing to win that game was Anthony [Bender]," McCullough told reporters after the game. "To get that close to the finish line and not finish, it didn't work out."
Bender, who entered Tuesday's opener against the Reds with a 10.80 ERA, proceeded to surrender two runs and allow Cincinnati to tie the game and take it into extra innings.
The Marlins then turned to relievers Calvin Faucher and John King in the 10th, and they surrendered four runs. The decision to take the Marlins' best player out of the game backfired and the Fightin' Fish have now lost four of their last five.
"I think there are a lot of decisions over the course of a game that weigh heavily on you," McCullough said. "I think us losing the game is what stings the most."
Alcantara was reticent to assign blame after the loss, but his frustration bubbled up when speaking to reporters.
"I just have to be ready for my next outing and do my best. I have been doing my work in the pen and my fastball was going in and out and I felt great out there," Alcantara said. "But I am just a player. There was a decision and I cannot control it."
"The next time," Alcantara said. "They should ask me before they take me out of a game."
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