NYM 2, MIA 3; Joe Dunand blasts walk-off home run

JUPITER, Fla.—The Miami Marlins returned to Roger Dean Stadium after being on the road since Sunday and the fans got their money’s worth. The Marlins knock off the Mets thanks to a two-run walk off home run by third base prospect Joe Dunand.

Right-handed pitcher Sandy Alcantara was terrific in start against the Mets. Alcantara was throwing a ton of strikes and getting a lot of swing-and-miss. Alcantara pitched five innings allowing three hits, no runs and no walks. His nine strikeouts were the most for a single game by any major leaguer so far in 2021.

Submarine right-hander Adam Cimber relieved Alcantara and threw well in his one inning of work. Cimber threw 21 pitches including fourteen strikes. He had two groundouts and induced a line out against Francisco Lindor.

Anthony Bass came in after Cimber and had some bad luck in his one inning pitched. Bass allowed one hit, two runs, one walk and one strikeout (entered the day with a 0.00 ERA). Mets outfielder Albert Almora Jr. hit a fly ball to left field with runners at the corners that was fell due to miscommunication between Magneuris Sierra and Garrett Cooper.

Yimi García had a clean eighth inning as he struck out Mallex Smith, got a broken bat groundout against Jeff McNeil and a fly out to center by Wilfredo Tovar. Right-handed pitcher Anthony Bender came in to pitch the final inning for the Fish, and did exactly what we’ve grown accustomed to seeing from him.

The Marlins offense didn’t do much at the plate but two home runs were the difference that helped the Marlins beat the Mets. INF prospect Jazz Chisholm blasted a solo shot to deep right field. The exit velocity on the home run was calculated at 112.7 mph, the highest mark for any batted ball by a Marlins player in Grapefruit League competition.

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Center fielder Starling Marte and infielder Eddy Alvarez both recorded singles in the win. Marte singled through the left side in the fourth and Alvarez line one into right field in the eighth.

The Marlins’ magic started in the bottom of the ninth with a leadoff walk by first baseman Lewin Díaz. The Fish pinch ran for Díaz with middle infield prospect José Devers but Devers wouldn’t need to do anything more than trot around the bases.

Joe Dunand blasted a two-run home run to left field to give the Marlins the win. Dunand has homered twice in his last two games. This most recent one was measured at 364 feet and the exit velocity was clocked at 98.6 mph. The third baseman improved his spring OPS to 1.015.

Still sitting atop the Grapefruit League standings (8-2 with five ties), the Miami Marlins will be back at Roger Dean Stadium Thursday night but as the road team as they’ll take on the St. Louis Cardinals. Right-handed pitcher Pablo López will be on the mound for the Miami Marlins. Right-handed pitcher Daniel Ponce De Leon will get the start for the St. Louis Cardinals.

Lopez has looked good so far this Spring Training. Lopez has a 1.00 ERA in nine innings pitched with six strikeouts and 0.89 WHIP. Ponce de Leon also has a 2.35 ERA in 7 ²⁄₃ innings pitched and eight strikeouts. First pitch is at 6:05 pm ET.