Sandy Alcantara reaches 200 inning milestone but Marlins lose to AL East champion Rays
.JPG "Miami Marlins starter Sandy Alcantara pitches against the Tampa Bay Rays during the first inning of a baseball game Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in St. Petersburg, Fla.")
Sandy Alcantara’s goal since the start of spring training, was to throw 200 innings this season. It was a nice round number and would serve as a testament that he could be that consistent starter at the top of the Miami Marlins’ rotation who regularly pitches deep into games and gives quality performances.
Alcantara hit the mark on Saturday.
The Marlins’ 26-year-old ace threw six innings in the Marlins’ 7-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday — a result that allowed the Rays to clinch the American League East. Miami is 64-90. Tampa Bay is 96-59.
Alcantara has now pitched 200 2/3 innings pitched for the season. He is just the third pitcher to hit the 200-inning mark this season, joining the Philadelphia Phillies’ Zach Wheeler (206 1/3) and the St. Louis Cardinals’ Adam Wainwright (200 1/3)
This also makes him the 15th pitcher in Marlins history to hit that milestone.
The rest of the group: Mark Buehrle (2012), Ricky Nolasco (2008 and 2011), Josh Johnson (2009), Scott Olsen (2008), Dontrelle Willis (2005-2007), A.J Burnett (2002 and 2005), Carl Pavano (2003-2004), Ryan Dempster (2000-2001), Brad Penny (2001), Livan Hernandez (1998), Kevin Brown (1996-1997), Alex Fernandez (1997), Al Leiter (1996) and Charlie Hough (1993).
“It does mean a lot for me,” Alcantara said. “That was my goal since spring training, and I did it. I just feel happy to get over 200 innings. I just say thank you God for giving me the opportunity and keeping me healthy to do that.”
Alcantara can potentially join even more exclusive company with his next start. If he strikes out at least five batters in his final outing of the season, he’ll be just the fifth pitcher in Marlins history to record 200 strikeouts and throw 200 innings in the same season. Burnett (204 1/3 innings, 203 strikeouts in 2002), Dempster (226 1/3 innings, 209 strikeouts in 2000), Brown (237 1/3 innings, 205 strikeouts in 1997) and Leiter (215 1/3 innings, 200 strikeouts in 1996) are the others.
But he’s not worried about that factoid right now.
His goal for that last start?
“I just want to keep doing my job,” Alcantara said. “Keep getting better, keep up my routine and finish strong.”
Alcantara has been strong on the mound for the Marlins all throughout a 2021 season, one in which he continued to take steps to show he can be the Marlins’ ace.
He has a 3.09 ERA, which stands as the sixth-best in Marlins history among the 22 instances in which a pitcher has thrown at least 200 innings. His 195 strikeouts are a career high. He also is on pace to finish with career-best marks in WHIP (1.07), walks per nine inning (2.20) and strikeout-to-walk ratio (3.98).
Alcantara has thrown quality starts — defined as pitching at least six innings while giving up no more than three earned runs — in 23 of his 32 outings. This includes 13 starts with at least seven innings pitched and two or fewer runs scored against him.
“He’s thinking nine all the time,” Marlins manager Don Mattingly said. “It’s just continuing his growth. It’s a mark for guys from the standpoint of being out there for your club and showing that you’re gonna post and be healthy every time out.”
Game recap
Alcantara will celebrate the milestone when he reflects on the season.
On this night, though, the moment was dampered by yet another losing effort.
Alcantara gave up five runs (three earned) on nine hits while striking out six on Saturday. It was just the sixth time this season Alcantara has given up at least five runs this season although he has only given up more than three earned runs in just three of those outings.
Twice on Saturday Alcantara was burned by defensive errors.
A Jazz Chisholm Jr fielding error allowed Brett Phillips to reach base in the fifth before Mike Zunino hit his 32nd home run of the season that gave the Rays a 3-1 lead. Alcantara tried to throw his fastball inside to Zunino and the ball leaked over the heart of the plate.
“They’re ready for anything in the middle,” Alcantara said. “When you miss your spot, you’re gonna pay.”
And Eddy Alvarez had a fielding error that allowed Joey Wendle to reach second base after an infield single. Yandy Diaz drove in Wendle with an RBI single on the next pitch to make the score 4-2.
Alcantara then gave up back-to-back hits to start the seventh — a Zunino single and Brandon Lowe RBI double — to end his night.
Despite recording 13 hits, the Marlins’ offense scored just three runs on a Miguel Rojas home run in the third, Alvarez RBI fielder’s choice in the sixth and Bryan De La Cruz RBI single in the seventh.
This and that
▪ Alvarez was ejected after tossing his helmet following a strikeout to end the top of the eighth. Mattingly came out of the dugout following Alvarez’s ejection to argue the ejection with home plate umpire Manny Gonzalez and was also ejected. Sandy Leon, who began the game at catcher, took over at third base.
▪ Nick Fortes, the Marlins’ designated hitter on Saturday, reached base four times on two singles and two walks. De La Cruz reached base four times on three hits and a walk. Jesus Sanchez had his third career three-hit game.
▪ Rojas was taken out of the game in the eighth inning with a toe injury. He is day to day.
This story was originally published September 25, 2021 at 9:10 PM.
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