Marlins starter Sandy Alcantara takes the mound against Colorado

The Miami Marlins will look to extend their winning streak to two games on Sunday when Sandy Alcantara takes the mound against the Colorado Rockies.

The streak is over! The Miami Marlins got their first win of the season last night in a 7-3 win over the Colorado Rockies on Saturday night. The victory snapped a two-game losing streak. Now, it’s up to starter Sandy Alcantara to send this team in the right direction by adding another victory in the record books and giving Marlins fans hope the team’s pitching will carry them through the hot summer months.

If this is a poignant moment for Alcantara, it’s because the franchise has high hopes for one of the hardest throwing pitchers in the organization. The 23-year-old could become this team’s ace if he can harness his control and find consistency on the mound.

The fact he is the fourth starter in the rotation speaks to how good this staff can be and how the youngster still has a few things to work on early in the season.

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But Sandy Alcantara also needs support from the batting order if this team is going to win again this afternoon.

After watching both Trevor Richards and Pablo Lopez pitch gems, it’s now the youngster’s time to continue the trend of solid outings by a young starting staff. The Marlins also need the bullpen to once again come up big in holding a lead.

"Per Kevin Kraczkowski of Marlin Maniac, “Pablo Lopez lasted 5 1/3 innings, and allowed three earned runs on five hits. He struck out seven, and as usual, walked zero batters in the win. The Marlins churned out 16 hits on the night.”"

It was a game the team needed to build confidence early in the season. As Joe Frisaro of MLB.com wrote, it all fell into place Saturday night.

"“The Marlins did a little bit of everything in a 7-3 win over the Rockies at Marlins Park. Miguel Rojas had two doubles, three hits and three RBIs. Martín Prado chipped in with three hits and an RBI, while Curtis Granderson added a sacrifice fly and a safety squeeze bunt RBI single as part of a 16-hit attack in Miami’s first win after dropping two straight to open the four-game set,” he stated."

The good thing about Sanday Alcantara opening the season at home is his 2.25 ERA in Marlins Park over 16 innings of work. He must use his fastball effectively and when called up, go to a slider that tops out 86.1 MPH.