Still without a win after the All-Star break, the Marlins needed one in the worst way. But it was more of the same from Sandy Alcantara and an offensive performance that gave many flashbacks of the majority of the 2022 season. I don’t want to discuss it any more than you do. Either way, let’s break it down.

As has been the case with Sandy pitching this season, the game got dicey early on as the Cardinals tagged Sandy for four runs on four hits in the bottom of the first inning with an RBI single by Nolan Arenado and a three-run homer by Nolan Gorman. That would be all the Cardinals would get off of Sandy as he buckled down and found his groove for five subsequent scoreless innings.

The offenses continued to leave runners on base at an otherworldly rate, pushing only two of their 11 baserunners in the first seven innings. The two runs were scored in the top of the third inning on an RBI single to right field by Jesus Sanchez to drive in Jacob Stallings and Jorge Soler.

Having thrown 103 pitches through six innings and the Marlins still trailing 4-2, Skip had no choice but to hand the ball over to an extremely exhausted bullpen. Huascar Brazoban entered to pitch the seventh and close the book on Sandy Alcantara.

Sandy’s final line: 6.0 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 7 K, 1 HR, 103/69 P/S.

Brazoban gave up a leadoff double to Brendan Donovan, who then stole second base and came around to score easily on a groundball by Lars Nootbaar that was fielded by Jon Berti next to the mound and thrown wide of first base. An infield single for Nootbaar and a two-base, run-scoring error for Jon Berti. Nolan Gorman then singled home Nootbaar to make it a 6-2 game. The two runs allowed by Brazoban would prove to be crucial. Bryan De La Cruz made it a 6-3 game with a leadoff homer to left in the top of the eighth. He’s been swinging a hot bat as of late. 101.2 MPH, 26° LA, 369 FT, HR in 28/30 ballparks.

And in the ninth inning, as we’ve come to expect, the Marlins made some noise and didn’t go down without a fight. Garrett Hampson singled to lead off the inning and came around to score on a two-out double by Luis Arraez. But the game would end as Jorge Soler lined out to right six pitches later.

The Marlins dropped their sixth game in a row after the All-Star break by the score of 6-4. Time of game: 2 hours, 44 minutes.

Skip Schumaker postgame, “That was a frustrating road trip. No doubt about it… Some guys are frustrated in there. I’m frustrated. I made mistakes… I don’t think there’s any panic in there.”

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Noah’s Notes and What’s Next

• Panic level: Moderate (maybe not inside the locker room, but definitely outside of it).
• Notable performances:
  • Luis Arraez: 2-for-5, 2B, RBI
  • Bryan De La Cruz: 2-for-4, 2B, HR, RBI
  • Jesus Sanchez: 1-for-4, 2 RBI
  • Jon Berti: 3-for-4
  • Jacob Stallings: 2-for-3, BB
  • Bryan Hoeing: 1.0 IP, 5/5 P/S
• The Marlins have already lost as many Sandy starts this season (13) as they did all of last season.
• Day off tomorrow to lick your wounds and find your guts before the Rockies come to town.
• ‘Til Tmrw!