Sandy Alcantara dominates, throws complete game shutout as Marlins beat Reds
This was Alcantara's major league-leading third complete game
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Sandy Alcantara threw his major league-leading third complete game and the Miami Marlins beat the Cincinnati Reds 3-0 Wednesday night.
The All-Star right-hander allowed six hits, walked one and struck out three on 105 pitches for his third career shutout. Alcantara (10-4) is the first Marlins pitcher to reach double-digit victories in a season since Caleb Smith won 10 in 2019.
"I am very happy about that, hopefully it won’t be just 10 but 15 or 20," Alcantara said.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Alcantara snapped a tie with Houston’s Framber Valdez for the league lead in complete games.
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Miami Marlins starting pitcher Sandy Alcantara is doused by Pablo Lopez after the Marlins beat the Cincinnati Reds 3-0 in a baseball game, Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2022, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Luke Williams had three hits and stole a career-high three bases while Jesús Aguilar homered for the Marlins, who snapped a nine-game home losing skid.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Reds loaded the bases and with two out in the first, but Alcantara retired Donovan Solano on a force at home and Aristides Aquino on a fly to left field.
After Cincinnati forced him to throw 22 pitches in the inning, Alcantara needed 83 the remainder of his outing.
"To get out of that was big," Marlins manager Don Mattingly said. "I felt at that point, he was going to settle in and they were in for a full dose of Sandy."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}In the lead-up to the All-Star break, Alcantara had completed at least seven innings in 13 consecutive outings. But he lasted 11 innings total in his first two starts following the break.
"Pitching only one inning in the All-Star got me out of rhythm," Alcantara said. "That one inning held me back a bit. But we are fine now."
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{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Aguilar put Miami ahead 1-0 with his solo shot in the fourth. He drove a slider from Reds starter Mike Minor into the seats in left for his 13th homer and the Marlins’ first lead in the series.
Garrett Cooper’s two-run double in the fifth made it 3-0. Williams hit a one-out single, stole second and was in the front end of a double steal after Billy Hamilton walked.
"That’s a part of the game I think is going to start coming back," Williams said of his base stealing. "It’s obviously part of my game and it’s very exciting."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Minor (1-8) was lifted after 5 1/3 innings. The left-hander allowed three runs, five hits, walked three and struck out six.
"I just knew it was tough to get a win with a guy like that who’s going to go deep," Minor said. "In the first inning, he kind of gave us some hope and then he got out of it. The guy’s pretty good."
ROSTER MOVES
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Marlins activated Cooper from the injured list while the Reds recalled SS José Barrero from Triple-A Louisville. With his call-up Wednesday, Barrero became the 31st Cuban player to appear for a major league team this season, surpassing the previous high in the history of the Caribbean nation.
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Miami Marlins' Sandy Alcantara delivers a pitch during the first inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2022, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
"I’m extremely honored to become the 31st and also very fortunate to represent our country in the major leagues," Barrero said in Spanish.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}FOND MEMORIES OF SCULLY
Mattingly warmly remembered the years he became close to Vin Scully. The Hall of Fame broadcaster, who called Los Angeles Dodgers’ games 67 years, died Tuesday. Before joining the Marlins in 2016, Mattingly managed the Dodgers for five seasons.
"Vin was, in a sense, an artist with the way he painted the game and sculpted your view of watching a game or hearing a game," Mattingly said. "I was very fortunate to get a few little moments with him where we could talk about anything when you have that 20-minute bus ride."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}TRAINER’S ROOM
Reds: The return of C Aramis García will be delayed after an MRI revealed a fracture of his bruised left middle finger.
Marlins: OF Avisaíl García (left hamstring strain) was placed on the 10-day injured list. García exited in the third inning Tuesday.
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Miami Marlins starting pitcher Sandy Alcantara (22) is congratulated by Pablo Lopez after the Marlins beat the Cincinnati Reds 3-0 in a baseball game, Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2022, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
UP NEXT
Neither club has announced the starter for the opener of its next series. The Reds will continue their 10-game road trip Friday at Milwaukee, while the Marlins begin a three-game set Friday at the Chicago Cubs.