STL 2, MIA 7; Marlins capitalize on Cardinals’ defensive miscues

JUPITER, Fla.—For the first time in many months, Marlins fans were able to hear a familiar voice in the television broadcast booth. Todd Hollandsworth called Monday’s game along with the Cardinals’ play-by-play and color analysts. If you missed the game, fear not—there will be more games very soon! Monday’s starting pitcher Sandy Alcantara will take the mound on April 1 for 2021’s Opening Day.

Coming into the game, Alcantara had not allowed an earned run in his 12 ²⁄₃ spring innings. By the second inning, that streak was over. Cardinals’ outfielder Dylan Carlson hit a solo home run and singled in a second run two innings later. Carlson made the Marlins righty work in his second at-bat. After Alcantara got ahead, Carlson fouled off three pitches and took a fastball for a ball. On the seventh pitch of the at-bat, he dropped a fly ball into left field, driving in the game’s second run.

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Other than the two runs driven in by Carlson, Alcantara was able to limit damage and keep the game under control. In 4 ²⁄₃ innings, he walked one and struck out five batters. When asked about how he feels taking the ball for his second consecutive Opening Day, Alcantara told the media that he’s ready for the opportunity to represent his country, family, and teammates.

In relief of Alcantara, the Marlins employed James Hoyt, Zach Pop, Yimi García, Anthony Bass, and Zach Thompson. Hoyt finished the last ¹⁄₃ of the fifth inning and the other relievers each threw one inning.

Marlins get some help from the Cardinals’ defense

The Marlins, aided by the Cardinals’ defense, scored most of their runs in the fifth inning. Lewis Brinson and Jazz Chisholm posted back-to-back singles, scored on back-to-back errors, and a third run, Magneuris Sierra scored on a wild pitch. Peyton Burdick also got in on the fifth inning action, taking the next pitch he saw from Jack Flaherty deep to right-center field. FOX Sports compiled the four runs in a tweet, shown above.

Doing his best to earn a spot on the Marlins’ Opening Day roster, Brinson hit the ball hard against Flaherty on Monday. The hanging slider Brinson smoked for a double in the sixth inning was tracked at 110 MPH, per Statcast. The other two balls he put in play also had exit velocities in the triple digits.

In the eighth inning, the Marlins tacked on three more runs courtesy of Connor Scott and Víctor Víctor Mesa. Scott, the Marlins first round draft pick in 2018, tripled and drove in two runs. V. V. Mesa, the older of the two brothers, singled and drove in a run.

The final score of Monday’s game was 7-2, with Miami taking the win. With 10 victories, four losses and five ties, the Marlins are guaranteed to finish above .500 in the Grapefruit League for the fourth spring in a row.

They will face the Mets on Tuesday as Daniel Castano faces off against Marcus Stroman.