Alcantara Pitches Like Former Self, but Marlins Fall to Phillies

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MIAMI, FL – Following their first sweep of the season against the Nationals, the Marlins arrive back home looking to ride the wave against the Phillies. In game one against the Phils, they allowed them to go 2-for-7 with runners in scoring position along with a pair of solo homers. In contrast, the Marlins didn’t have enough answers at the plate. Even as Sandy Alcantara pitched like his former self, the Marlins still fell to the Phillies in this contest, 3-2.

Vintage Sandy ?

Sandy Alcantara has finally started to look like his old self since the calendar flipped to June. The Dominican right-hander threw five quality innings, striking out five, and walking just one batter.

He gave up five hits, and the only two runs he gave up were solo home runs. The first was a leadoff dinger to Trea Turner. On an 0-1 count, Turner hammered a sinker in the lower portion of the strike zone into the alley in center field. Even when the Phillies got on base, Alcantara was poised and in control on the mound. Max Kepler’s home run in the 4th inning was the other run he allowed. Some of Alcantara’s pitches were all over the place in the at-bat, but Kepler won the battle when he launched a low slider into the right field seats.

Alcantara even made some Marlins history tonight. Following his punchout of Turner, he surpassed Josh Johnson for second place on the all-strikeouts list in franchise history with 833.

Sandy Alcantara moves into 2nd on the all-time Marlins strikeouts leaders with 833! pic.twitter.com/UugeZU6EJq

— Marlins Radio Network (@MarlinsRadio) June 17, 2025

Overall, this was his best outing all season where his pitch count was in the triple digits. He threw exactly 100 pitches tonight, with 70% of them being strikes. Over the last three starts, he’s had a 2.12 ERA and has lowered his season earned run average to 6.88. Whether it’s a win, loss, or a no-decision, this is the Sandy Alcantara that we all want to see consistently every five days.

Marlins bats fail to supply enough support

The Marlins finished the night with two runs and five hits. Two of them came in the 2nd inning and another pair came in the 8th inning.

Kyle Stowers, who has been offly quiet in the past month, ripped a triple down the right field line. It was his first extra-base hit since June 2nd. Connor Norby was then able to come through and drive him in with a base hit up the middle to tie things up at one.

A NoRBI to get us on the board pic.twitter.com/eEfsS5PPgZ

— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) June 16, 2025

Later on, Xavier Edwards and Javier Sanoja would kick things off in the 8th inning with back-to-back hits. Just like that, the Marlins had runners at first and second with nobody out. Eventually, Agustin Ramirez was able to drive in run number two with a sacrifice fly.

Besides these two innings, the offense was relatively quiet for Miami. The Marlins were one-for-four with runners in scoring position as well and wound up leaving six runners on the basepaths.

Dane Myers makes spectacular catch, but leaves game early

Dane Myers made this spectacular diving catch in the 1st inning, likely saving a run. He had only a 40% probability of catching the ball according to Statcast.

Dane Myers makes it look too easy pic.twitter.com/9jj83j6w9f

— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) June 16, 2025

Unfortunately, things took a turn for him in the game as he got hit by a pitch in the second inning. He looked quite uncomfortable for a few minutes but remained in the game. In the 4th inning, however, he was pulled for good and was ruled to have left elbow discomfort.

Bullpen observations

Following two disappointing bullpen outings, Valente Bellozo was back on track. The southpaw threw three innings, allowing one run and a strikeout.

The Phillies did give him trouble in the 7th inning. Brandon Marsh changed the direction of the game for good with his own triple and then Turner was able to drive him in. Still, Bellozo didn’t appear bothered and only threw 40 pitches.

Cade Gibson on the other hand, threw 29 pitches to get through the 9th inning. With Rafael Marchan at third and Marsh at first, Kyle Schwarber got hit by a pitch. It was a close one and the Marlins ended up challenging it before ultimately losing.

Then came Alec Bohm at the plate and he put the icing on the cake. In a 3-2 game with the bases loaded, Bohm did exactly what you’d expect from your All-Star third baseman. That is, getting a huge two-run base hit into the outfield.

The pitch was well below the strike zone, and he still found a way to hit it. For Gibson, it was just a series of bad plays that led to these big insurance runs. Before the hit by pitch, he allowed the double to Marchan, a walk to Marsh, and then a passed ball.

Bring 'em home, Bohm!

⭐️ https://t.co/3TO2Oil4rq ⭐ pic.twitter.com/L42OnlMfCs

— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) June 17, 2025

On deck

With the game six of the Stanley Cup Finals taking place in Sunrise, tomorrow’s game has been moved to 6:10 pm. Former Marlin, Jesus Luzardo (6-2, 4.23 ERA, 93 K), and Cal Quantrill (3-7, 5.61 ERA, 46 K) will face each other.

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