Sandy Alcantara Shines in Marlins' Dominant Victory
MIAMI - Sandy Alcantara is back in his element, and he's making it look effortless.
The 2022 Cy Young Award winner delivered a dazzling complete game shutout at loanDepot park, leading the Marlins to a commanding 10-0 victory. This win marks Miami's fifth in six games, showcasing a promising start to the season with a plus-15 run differential.
Reflecting on the performance, Alcantara shared, “I’ve been through a lot, so today was such a special moment for me.”
In his second full season post-Tommy John surgery, Alcantara is proving why he's the Marlins' ace. Across 16 innings this season, he’s yet to allow an earned run, giving up only seven hits and issuing just two walks. According to Elias Sports Bureau, his 16-inning scoreless streak is the fourth-longest by a Marlins starter to open a season, trailing only the likes of Dontrelle Willis and Josh Beckett.
His Opening Day start left some wanting more when he was pulled after 73 pitches through seven innings. But Wednesday was different.
“My last outing, I was feeling it a little bit and they took me out of the game. I respect that decision, but today was my game, and it wasn’t going to happen today,” Alcantara said with a grin.
Alcantara was in control from the start, needing just two pitches to record the first two outs. From the fourth inning onward, he averaged fewer than 10 pitches per inning, demonstrating his efficiency and command.
“Being aggressive and never letting an inning get away from me was key. Plus, all of the great work we’ve put in the bullpen has been helping me a lot,” he added.
This performance marked the 13th complete game and fifth shutout of Alcantara's career. It’s been nearly three years since his last complete game shutout, and it was the first for a Marlin since Braxton Garrett in 2024. Alcantara now joins the ranks of Justin Verlander and Chris Sale as one of only three active pitchers with at least 13 complete games.
Alcantara credited the game plan, noting he only shook off assistant pitching coach Rob Marcello “maybe three times.”
Meanwhile, catcher Liam Hicks is off to a blazing start. His 3-for-4, four-RBI outing on Wednesday brings his RBI total to a league-leading 12. Manager Clayton McCullough praised Hicks’ selectiveness at the plate, saying, “The at-bat quality is still there, and he’s being very selective in looking for pitches where he wants them.”
Hicks’ offseason dedication to weight training and bat speed is clearly paying off, as he’s already hit three home runs during the opening homestand, surpassing last season’s total at loanDepot park.
With this victory, the Marlins improved to 5-1, while the White Sox dropped to 1-5. Miami takes a breather on Thursday before heading to the Bronx for a weekend series against the Yankees, with Eury Pérez set to face Will Warren in the opener.