Sandy Alcantara starts strong, commits error, takes loss in first matchup vs. former team

The Marlins dropped Monday night’s series opener to the Cardinals, 4-1. The five-game losing streak matches their second-longest of the 2019 season.

Michael Wacha: 6.0 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 4 K on 75 pitches

Sandy Alcantara: 5.0 IP, 4 H, 4 R (1 ER), 4 BB, 6 K on 96 pitches

In the midst of a horrible campaign, Wacha was a ground ball machine and the beneficiary of three double plays turned by his defense.

Facing the franchise that traded him in December 2017, Alcantara was similarly effective...until the sixth inning. His own throwing error enabled the Cardinals to add two huge insurance runs:

Some fun with numbers: Jorge Alfaro and old friend Marcell Ozuna combined to produce all six of the hardest-hit balls in the game (107.5 mph and higher).

Although he didn’t prove to be a good-luck charm, newly signed second-round draft pick Nasim Nuñez was in the building. The 18-year-old went through a full pre-game routine with Marlins major leaguers and discussed the whirlwind week that he’s been through.

Marlins president of baseball operations Michael Hill said that Nuñez will play his first professional games when the Gulf Coast League opens later this month.

The Cardinals-Marlins series continues Tuesday. Probable starters are right-handers Dakota Hudson and soon-to-be-recalled Elieser Hernandez. First pitch approximately 7:10 p.m.

Cardinals vs. Marlins box score (Baseball Theater)

Fish Picks answer key

1. Marlins
2. Under
3. Under
4. Yes
5. Cardinals