Marlins cannot get the win for Sandy Alcantara

Despite yet another solid performance on the mound, the Miami Marlins once again squandered Sandy Alcantara’s night in an extra-inning loss.

If there’s one team in the National League that is thrilled it will not have to face Sandy Alcantara again this year, it may be the New York Mets. Once again the young ace of the Marlins staff pitched a gem through six innings, but it wasn’t enough as the team fell 5-4 four in 11 innings.

The only saving grace is the loss is not credited to Alcantara, who once again is on the short end of the stick where his teammates could not help him secure a victory.

The Marlins are now 55-102 this season. Adam Conley took the loss for the visiting team.

Alcantara has had as good a month of September is any pitcher in the National League. But like other starters in the rotation, Miami has not been able to give him the run support he needs to add victories. Manager Don Mattingly has spoken of late at how good his starter has been.

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"“Sandy was just Sandy,” Mattingly said. “It’s getting to be what you expect. You expect Sandy to be going six, seven innings every time he walks out there. They have been really good signs for him.”"

Any semblance of a winning record and the 24-year-old, who was part of the deal last off-season that since Marcell Ozuna to St. Louis, would potentially be considered for Rookie of the Year honors. Yes, he has been that good after the All-Star Break. And being the only Marlin on the Midsummer Classic roster, it’s a good bet he could be back in the exhibition game for years to come.

This is the kind of night Alcantara has had of late without results. He allowed no runs on four hits. He came out to the mound and retired nine of the first batters he faced. It’s the same kind of show he put on back in May when he shut out the Mets.

It’s ironic that Alcantara didn’t get the decision, which should have been a victory. Former starter Jose Urena blew a save opportunity. The closer’s role is still problematic for this organization.

"“He has turned the corner,” Mattingly said. “The confidence has been building. For Sandy, our conversations have been about being aggressive. ‘Let’s get in the strike zone. Your stuff is good. Let’s go attack. You have to refine even that as you go along.’”"