WASHINGTON -- When Eury Pérez landed on the injured list on Friday with a right gracilis (inner thigh) strain, the Marlins had a decision to make: Who will start in Pérez’s place on Tuesday in Washington?
At the moment, it appears Miami will largely rely on its bullpen. Righty reliever Ryan Gusto is expected to be recalled pregame and pitch in some capacity. But beyond that, nothing is set in stone.
And for that reason, Sandy Alcantara delivering seven solid innings in Miami’s 7-3 win in the series opener on Monday night at Nationals Park was one of the most important things he could do -- and a big reason that, despite giving up three runs by the third inning, the Marlins had no plans to take their ace out of the game.
Aside from a two-run homer from Jacob Young in the second and a pair of singles in the third that led to a run scoring, Alcantara was efficient. He entered the seventh having only thrown 81 pitches, with the potential to go the distance as he has already done this season.
That didn’t happen, but in the end it wasn’t necessary -- Michael Petersen shut down the Nats in the eighth and Pete Fairbanks closed down the ninth, while Miami’s offense came through with three insurance runs in the top of the ninth, including a pair of homers from Liam Hicks (solo) and Kyle Stowers (two-run).
But the run support wasn’t necessary to Alcantara’s success, as he struck out five while allowing just those three runs on seven hits, limiting the damage to haul in a win and end Miami’s skid at five games -- with help from a game-tying pinch-hit two-run homer from Heriberto Hernández in the sixth inning.
Alcantara’s presence on the bump enabled the offense to find its groove, rather than try to force it. After taking advantage of some early control issues from starter Cade Cavalli, who allowed one run in the first on three walks and a single, Miami was quiet until the sixth. Leo Jiménez singled to open the frame and knock Cavalli out of the game before right-handed-hitting Hernández was called upon to face southpaw Richard Lovelady.
One more run scored against Lovelady, when Connor Norby doubled in Jakob Marsee (hit-by-pitch) to take a lead the Fish never relinquished.