New All-Star Otto Lopez shines, Sandy cruises as Marlins blow out A's

[Jeremiah Geiger]

It was a very special day for Otto Lopez. After finding out he was named to the 2026 National League All-Star team, he simply did what he's done all season long: get hits. 

His third inning two-run bomb put the Marlins ahead 3-0, and he tacked on another XBH in the fifth with an RBI double. He added a single in the ninth to finish the game with three hits. 

Lopez now has 38 multi-hit games this season, pacing all of Major League Baseball. He is also tied with Rafael Devers for the most doubles with 24. After Saturday's three-hit performance, his average is up to .341, which again, leads all of baseball. The man who was once DFA'd twice in a season has now blossomed into a star.

Rookie catcher Joe Mack who led off the Marlins' scoring in the third with a solo homer. It was Mack's 7th of the season, and he continues to prove why the organization is so high on him. Kyle Stowers' two run shot in the seventh was his third home run of the series and made the score 6-0, essentially putting the game on ice. Xavier Edwards added an RBI single in the ninth. 

The Athletics were quiet all game, never posing much of a threat. Aaron Civale started on the mound but gave up four earned runs in 4 ⅔ innings. Kade Morris pitched the last three innings of the game and gave up three earned. The A's scored on a Jeff McNeil sac fly in the seventh, but by that time the game was all but out of reach. They'd tack on one run in the ninth on an Otto Lopez error with Tyler Zuber on the mound. 

Final score: 7-2.

The Marlins' bats have been on fire in this ballpark, scoring 19 runs in the first two games. 

Sandy Alcantara finished the month of June 6-0 in six starts and his first start of July was brilliant. He scattered six hits across 87 innings while walking just one and striking out eight. He was in control the entire game. This was a vintage, classic start from El Caballo. 

"Everything was working tonight" he said. "Tonight, I think was my best night because all the pitches were working."

The Marlins improve to 48-42 and have visions of competing. Sandy emphazized how this Marlins team is unified. "Everybody is doing their part, the way we've been fighting together is amazing."

The Marlins have won the series and will be looking for the sweep Sunday. First pitch is scheduled for 1:30 PT/4:30 ET.

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