Sandy Alcantara leads on and off the mound as the Marlins top the Mets

Sandy Alcantara didn’t just lead the Marlins to a 4–2 win over the New York Mets on Tuesday night, he set the tone for how this team operates, on and off the field.

The 2022 Cy Young winner tossed five innings of two-run ball in his second start since returning from Tommy John surgery. He kept a dangerous Mets lineup in check, earning his first win of the season and extending his personal streak to 39 consecutive starts with at least five innings pitched.

What resonated most Tuesday wasn’t just Alcantara’s stat line, but the admiration he drew behind the scenes. Long before he stepped on the mound, relievers in the clubhouse were praising his routines, his poise and a small gesture that spoke volumes. After Miami’s first win last week, Alcantara treated the entire team to drinks.

“It’s something that came from my heart,” Alcantara said postgame. “And it feels good, you know? I feel good about it and everything. Everybody’s good, everybody’s happy.”

The gesture summed up what his teammates had already said: that Alcantara’s leadership reaches beyond stat lines.

“Sandy is a big competitor,” reliever Ronny Henriquez said. “He takes his preparation very seriously. I look up to him because he’s a veteran and he’s a good example to follow, especially for young pitchers in the game like me.”

Left-handed reliever Anthony Veneziano added: “He’s a good role model, someone we all pay attention to. It’s cool to see him go out there and be Sandy again.”

That sentiment extended beyond the Marlins’ clubhouse.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza praised Alcantara’s return to the mound, calling it a boost for the sport.

“I think he’s good for baseball, that he’s back on the mound,” Mendoza said before the game.

“We’re doing our homework here, we saw his first outing in spring training. You know, not only the sinker, the slider, the changeup, the special arm, but we’ll be ready.”

Among Alcantara’s own teammates, his daily discipline stood out just as much as his fastball.

“I’ve had Tommy John surgery as well,” reliever Tyler Phillips said. “You learn what works for you, and that you can’t skip those reps. I’ve seen him get into the weight room early before his throwing days, and he goes about his business the same every time. It just goes to show why he is who he is.”

The Marlins struck early against Mets starter Kodai Senga. Xavier Edwards opened the bottom of the first with a double, and Kyle Stowers followed with a 421-foot home run to straightaway center, his first of the season.

A fielding error by Francisco Lindor in the fourth extended the inning, and Graham Pauley made the Mets pay with a two-run double. All four of Miami’s runs were on the board before the fifth.

Senga lasted five innings and struck out eight, but took the loss.

Alcantara, meanwhile, needed just 70 pitches to get through five efficient innings. He allowed three hits, walked none, and struck out four. When asked about being pulled so early, he admitted he was surprised.

“But I trust my manager,” Alcantara said. “He made the decision, and I just respect that.”

Manager Clayton McCullough said it’s part of a bigger-picture approach to keep Alcantara, who has been the subject of trade rumors entering the season, fresh while still letting him lead by example.

“I thought Sandy was good. Thought he had a good mix of pitches,” McCullough said. “I think the presence that he gives, you know, obviously the guys feed off of him and… he’s been a big part of this organization for a long time.”

That presence continued in the dugout as Henriquez followed with two scoreless innings of relief. Bachar, another reliever, pitched a clean eighth inning and Anthony Bender secured the save in the ninth.

Catcher Nick Fortes, who has caught Alcantara regularly since his 2022 Cy Young season, said the impact of having Alcantara back can’t be overstated.

“He’s just a confident guy,” Fortes said. “It’s the way he carries himself. He’s so composed, and I think it helps the rest of us settle in too.”

For McCullough, having Alcantara in rhythm this early in the season is a gift.

“Having Sandy back in this clubhouse, around the guys, it means a lot,” he said. “He’s the heartbeat of this pitching staff.”

For Alcantara, his focus remains steady as ever.

“I just want to do my job,” he said. “And be there for my teammates.”