Kyle Stowers...again

MIAMI, FL—At one point, Friday's series opener against the Kansas City Royals was shaping up to be among the most painful Miami Marlins losses of the season. Starting pitcher Sandy Alcantara let most of his 5-0 lead slip away, Calvin Faucher blew a save opportunity in the ninth inning, and the Royals pulled ahead in extras.

Kyle Stowers bailed them out. Fresh off his first career All-Star selection, Stowers continues to be the hottest hitter in baseball, launching a two-run walk-off home run in the bottom of the 10th to win it by a final score of 8-7.

"It's a lot of fun watching Kyle," said Marlins manager Clayton McCullough. "Keep saying that Kyle is an easy guy to root for because of how he goes about everything and how humble he is. Everything has been coming his way through a lot of hard work and very happy for him."

This marked his second walk-off home run of the season and his third walk-off hit overall in 2025. It was also his 21st home run of the season.

Stowers became one of two players since 1901 to have recorded at least eight hits, five home runs, and 11 RBI in a two-game span. The other? Hall of Famer Ty Cobb.

"I just love winning, man," Stowers said. "I think all these guys do and anytime we can win, however we can get it, I'm happy. That's what we want to bring here to Miami. We all want to be a part of the winning culture and hopefully, eventually, get in the playoffs. Absolutely just dream one day about winning the World Series. It just starts with one day at a time and stacking as many wins as we can."

The Marlins offense got off to a fast start. In the bottom of the first inning, both Jesús Sánchez and Stowers took Royals right-hander Seth Lugo deep. For Sánchez, it was his eighth home run of the season, while for Stowers, it was his 20th. Stowers became the first Marlins left-handed hitter since Justin Bour to hit 20 homers in a season. 

In the bottom of the third, Otto Lopez drove Xavier Edwards in on an RBI double, while Stowers drove Lopez in on a bloop RBI single. The Marlins at that point had a commanding 5-0 lead.

After a clean three innings of work, Alcantara allowed back-to-back base hits in the fourth, then struck out former Florida Gator Jac Caglianone. The bottom of the order got to him. There was an RBI infield single by Nick Loftin and John Rave hit his first career home run, a three-run shot, making it a 5-4 game.

Alcantara went six innings of work, allowing four runs off of eight hits, two walks and two strikeouts. He generated a 54.5% ground ball rate, which is what he was averaging prior to undergoing  Tommy John  surgery.

Throughout the night, the Royals kept making hard contact, specifically off his four-seam fastball (which was his most-used pitch), averaging an exit velocity of 95.3 mph against it.

Alcantara felt that it was his mistake to Rave that really altered the results of his outing. Outside of his four-seamer, his secondary stuff was hit for plenty of soft contact. The slider had an average exit velo of 82.8 mph and the changeup, 73.5 mph.

"I think I was doing great," said Alcantara. "Just take one pitch out of there and everything feels way better, but a lot of soft contact and I can't control that. I just got to go out there, do my job, do my best and help the team anyway I can."

During the All-Star break, the struggling veteran took a trip to Puerto Rico. "Try to forget about what happened in the first half and just come back here stronger, positive and keep doing the same out there: competing. Doesn't matter what happens."

Alcantara's next start is expected to be on Wednesday at home against the San Diego Padres. With the trade deadline less than 13 days away, it could potentially be his final game at loanDepot park in a Marlins uniform.

With the win, the Fish have now walked if off seven times in 2025. They have a 45-51 record, 7.5 games back of a National League Wild Card spot. Cal Quantrill will toe the rubber Saturday against Michael Wacha at 4:10 pm. Marlins first-round pick Aiva Arquette will be introduced as well.