Alcantara, Marlins Shutdown Phillies In Return to Mound

Miami Marlins rookie pitcher Sanday Alcantara won his second game in as many starts in a 2-1 win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday.

Sandy Alcantara did it again. In only his second start on the Major League level, the Miami Marlins rookie pitched deep into the seventh inning, holding the Philadelphia Phillies scoreless in win at Marlins Park.

If Alcantara continues to pitch like he did the other night, which was exactly what the team needed heading toward the end of the season, the former St. Louis Cardinals player could make a case to be Miami’s No. 1 starter next year.

"“To me, what you see tonight, is a guy that you let develop,” Marlins manager Don Mattingly said via MLB.com. “He’s a guy who is a lot different than what you saw in Spring Training. He has another full season basically under his belt pitching. The key, when you talk about him, you talk about the potential of him. Is it a top-of-the-rotation guy? Only he tells us that.”"

The Marlins organization hope Alcantara is a top-of-the-rotation starter. He was one of the reasons the deal that sent outfielder Marcell Ozuna to the National League Central team.

More from Marlins News

Alcantara is set to be part of a young rotation that will include Pablo Lopez and Trevor Richards. and Caleb Smith. Lopez was just placed on the 60-day DL for a shoulder strain. Smith had a Lat injury that has sidelined him for the season. Richards has been up and down as a rookie starter.

The Marlins also have veterans Jose Urena, Dan Straily and Wei-Yin Chen to consider.

"Per Joe Frisaro of MLB.com, the effort on the mound was well worth the wait for both Alcantara and the team. He opened the season at Triple-A New Orleans before making one big league start on June 29 against the Mets. But after that outing, he went on the disabled list with a right axillary infection. When he was ready to return, he was optioned back to the Baby Cakes."

He worked on his control and his mechanics. The process has been slow, but it was to make sure someone with that much talent can become the effective pitcher the organization expects. After winning his first game, going on the disabled list and then back to the minors was frustrating.

"“It was a bit disappointing, getting that injury and then going through the rehab,” Alcantara said through an interpreter. “They made the decision to send me down, so I just took that time to play my way through. They brought me up here, and I was able to have a good outing today.”"

Home/Marlins News