Alcantara’s rough 3rd costly in Marlins loss

Tuesday’s contest between the Cleveland Indians and Miami Marlins was set as a pitcher’s duel between right-handers Trevor Bauer and Sandy Alcantara. Instead, it was a run fest. One horrendous inning from Alcantara paid huge dividends for the visitors, as the Marlins opened a five-game homestand with a loss at their hands, 6-4.

Trevor Bauer: 7.0 IP, 4 H, 4 ER, 4 BB, 10 K (105 pitches)

Sandy Alcantara: 5.1 IP, 7 H, 6 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 1 K (96 pitches)

Alcantara opened the night with a quick first inning, but that was not the case for Bauer. Martin Prado ripped a double and Brian Anderson continued his hot hitting of late, driving in Prado with an RBI single.

Cleveland responded, as Carlos Santana belted a moonshot to the second deck in right field. Jake Bauers delivered a sacrifice fly.

The Marlins counterpunched in the next half frame. Alcantara produced a bunt down the third-base line. Miguel Rojas, with excellent eye awareness, patiently waited for third baseman José Ramírez to toss the baseball to first. Once doing so, Rojas raced home to even the score at two.

Prado’s second hit Tuesday night drove home Isaac Galloway. Alcantara’s third inning collapse is the ultimate reason Miami lost this series opener. Santana bit Miami in the behind again, singling home Francisco Lindor. Carlos González, the former Colorado Rockie, busted a three-run home run to right field, extending Cleveland’s lead to three, 6-3.

Alcantara, moving forward, settled down and after manager Don Mattingly pulled him in the sixth, Nick Anderson stranded an inherited runner to keep the Fish within striking distance.

Prior to this ballgame, the Marlins made a key roster move, sending down Lewis Brinson to Triple-A New Orleans and recalling Garrett Cooper from the injured list. Brinson, a Coral Springs native, has had a rough 2019 season thus far, slashing .197/.247/.263 in 28 games.

Cooper was struck on the left hand with a 96 MPH four-seam fastball in the bottom of the third. He exited the contest, and was diagnosed with a left hand contusion.

Thankfully, X-rays were negative. His status is listed as day-to-day.

The Marlins will look for their ninth win of the season Wednesday night, sending out lefty Caleb Smith—who has an unblemished 2-0 record and a brilliant 2.17 ERA—to the mound. Cleveland will roll with Corey Kluber. Kluber, in six starts, is 2-2 with a bloated ERA of 5.81. First pitch is scheduled for approximately 7:10 p.m.

Indians vs. Marlins box score (MLB.com)

Fish Picks answer key

1. Marlins
2. Under
3. Under
4. Over
5. Indians
6. No
7. Yes
8. No
9. No
10. Yes

(March/April Fish Picks winner to be announced in Wednesday’s game thread)