MIA 6, LAD 9; Second inning dooms Alcantara, Marlins

Sandy Alcantara was well aware of just how dangerous the Los Angeles Dodgers offense is. In his lone career start against the defending World Series champions prior to Friday night at Dodger Stadium, Alcantara gave up six earned runs in five innings. Alcantara’s second outing was easily the worst of his career, as the right-hander coughed up eight earned runs on seven hits in the Marlins’ 9-6 loss.

Alcantara, after striking out Justin Turner and Max Muncy to strand Mookie Betts at third, pitched a miserable second, recording just one out in what was his shortest outing of his young career (1 ¹⁄₃ inning). The first seven Los Angeles hitters reached base safely and Muncy took Alcantara deep for a three-run home run to blow the game open.

Clayton Kershaw was not perfect by any means, but given an eight-run cushion to work with, it was very, very difficult for the Marlins to complete a comeback of that magnitude. In six innings of mound work, including a season-high 11 strikeouts, the left-handed ace allowed a three-run, two-out home run off the bat of Adam Duvall to highlight a four-run third for Don Mattingly’s group, but it was too little, too late moving forward.

The Marlins were able to receive help from a bullpen that has been solid thus far to open the 2021 campaign. Zach Pop, John Curtiss, Adam Cimber, Ross Detwiler and Anthony Bender combined to work 6 ²⁄₃ innings of one-run ball. They issued just one walk and continue to be the best among all MLB ‘pens in limiting free passes.

The Dodgers hand the ball to reigning NL Cy Young award winner Trevor Bauer on Saturday. Although Mattingly hasn’t announced a Marlins starter, expect to see a lengthy outing from right-hander Jordan Holloway who previously pitched on Monday in Arizona. First pitch will be approximately 9:10 p.m. ET.

Baseball Savant

Fish Picks Answer Key

1. Kershaw
2. Under
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4. Yes
5. Dodgers