Just minutes before Sandy Alcantara took the mound on Tuesday night, Miami had to make some lineup changes. Around 6:27 p.m., it was reported that Garrett Cooper was dealt to the San Diego Padres along with Sean Reynolds for LHP Ryan Weathers. A couple of minutes later, Jean Segura was dealt to the Cleveland Guardians along with top shortstop prospect Kahlil Watson in exchange for first baseman Josh Bell.
Behind their ace, the Marlins’ last-minute assembled lineup secured the much-needed win on Tuesday against the Philadelphia Phillies, who are now looking up at the Fish in the standings…or so they thought. With Sandy at 101 pitches through eight innings and the Marlins leading 1-0, Skip turned to his newly acquired closer, David Robertson. That’s when all hell broke loose. But how did we get here?
Sandy began with a rough and tumble first inning, allowed back-to-back singles to start, then bounced back with a double play and a groundout to end the threat on just 13 pitches. The offense got a bit of a rally going as they loaded the bases with singles from Jorge Soler, Bryan De La Cruz, and Jesús Sánchez. But it was for naught as Jon Berti would ground out to end the inning and strand all three. It was a sign of things to come. A leadoff single from Yuli Gurriel in the second was erased as Jacob Stallings grounded into a 2-4-3 double play on a ball that didn’t even make it to the infield grass.
Yuli would then make a spectacular diving play to rob Garrett Stubbs of extra bases to lead off the third. He went on to make at least three diving plays at first base. Luis Arraez hit a leadoff single in the bottom of the third, moved to second on a single by DLC, and scored on a double by Avisaíl García to score the Marlins lone run. Both DLC and Avi were stranded in scoring position to end the inning. For the second time tonight, a leadoff single by Yuli Gurriel was erased by a double play, this time by Joey Wendle in the fourth.
They stranded Avi on third and Yuli on first in the sixth inning after Avi singled and advanced on a sac bunt and a groundout. Jacob Stallings worked a full-count walk to begin the seventh inning and was given the green light around third base when Arraez slapped a double into the right-field corner. The throw came home with enough time for Garrett Stubbs to swipe around and tag Jacob, who didn’t slide into home plate. Jacob thought he was never tagged, and after a lengthy review, the call on the field stood. He was out. Soler and De La Cruz both walked to load the bases and on the first pitch of his at-bat, Avi García popped out to short and was all but kicking himself because he knew he should’ve driven that ball out. Sánchez then drove a ball to deep left field, but it hung up just long enough for Brandon Marsh to track it down and end the inning. Bases loaded with one out and nothing to show for it.
And that brings us to the top of the ninth inning. David Robertson trots out to the mound with a light show to accompany his song, “Sweet Home Alabama.” Kyle Schwarber steps to the plate. And suddenly, all the attention turns to right field. Avi Garcia is trying to get the attention of security because there is a fan on the field. The fan runs across the outfield while being chased by security, leaps and scales the wall in dead center field, climbs into the AutoNation Alley, scurries up onto the concourse, and sprints out of the building without stopping. I was later informed that the fan was apprehended by security before being able to escape.
Oh yeah, there’s still a game going on. The Marlins would’ve rather the game end at that point because what happened afterward was not pretty. Kyle Schwarber worked a full-count walk and was replaced by pinch-runner Jake Cave, who came around to score the tying run when Bryce Harper doubled off the wall in left. And just when you thought it couldn’t get any worse, Nick Castellanos crushed a two-run home run. 3-1 Phillies.
A blown save and eventual loss for Robertson, and a crushing loss on a wild and wacky day.
Noah’s Notes and What’s Next
- Yikes.
- Too many LOBsters.
- Avi is back.
- So is Sandy. His final line: 8.0 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K, 101/74 P/S. That’s on the heels of a complete game in his previous start.
- TRADES, TRADES AND MORE TRADES.
- Braxton Garrett vs. Zack Wheeler on Wednesday night. Jake Burger and Josh Bell are expected to be at the ballpark. More importantly, Kevin Barral and I will be representing team Caliente Red Wednesday morning in the Marlins Media Softball Game.
- ‘Til Tmrw!
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