Alcantara closes best 1st half in Marlins history

MIAMI -- South Florida is known worldwide for its picturesque beaches. New fieldside property named Sandy’s Beach debuted on Friday night in Section 22 of loanDepot park, complete with inflatable palm trees in support of Marlins ace Sandy Alcantara.

Alcantara struck out 12 batters to close out a stellar first half, but the Marlins fell, 2-1, to the Phillies in a weekend matchup between National League Wild Card hopefuls. Miami threatened with three consecutive one-out walks against Seranthony Domínguez in the ninth but was unable to record its third straight walk-off win.

“That was great tonight,” Alcantara said. “I saw those K’s floating in the air, but I don't want to look there because they made me want to laugh. I was so focused today on the game, but I feel so good for the fans, because they came today to support us, to support me, and they've got to keep coming to the game, because they don't see nothing yet. They've got to keep coming to support us.”

The loss wasted the two-time All-Star’s latest gem. He went eight innings to extend his streak of consecutive starts of at least seven frames to 13, matching Carl Pavano (2004) for most in franchise history. It’s also the longest stretch in the Majors since Félix Hernández (‘14).

The 26-year-old Alcantara faced the minimum until the seventh, when he ran into trouble. After striking out fellow All-Star Kyle Schwarber for the third of four times, Alcantara walked Rhys Hoskins on four pitches and gave up a single to Nick Castellanos through the shift. Darick Hall followed with an RBI double to left, though trail runner Castellanos was thrown out at home. The run snapped Alcantara’s consecutive scoreless innings streak at a career-high 25.

J.T. Realmuto, who caught Alcantara five times during Alcantara’s rookie season in 2018, made it back-to-back doubles with the go-ahead knock. Realmuto also broke up Alcantara’s perfect game with one out in the fifth.

“I was using all my pitches, but when you've got to face the same guy again and again, they know what pitch you want to throw,” Alcantara said. “I think that's why they made that adjustment to me. I don't like missing location. I was talking to [catcher Jacob Stallings] when he came to the clubhouse and he said it was a bad miss and he hit it.”

Regardless of the outcome, Alcantara had one of the best first halves in franchise history. Where does he rank in the NL following his finale?

• Innings pitched: First (138 1/3)
• Complete games: Tied for first (2)
• ERA: First (1.76)
• Fangraphs pitcher WAR: Second (3.6 entering Friday)
• WHIP: Third (0.90)
• Average against: Third (.190)
• Strikeouts: Fourth (123)
• Wins: Tied for fifth (9)

His 138 1/3 innings in the first half are most in the Majors since 2014 and most in franchise history. His 1.76 ERA is second to Josh Johnson’s 1.70 mark during Johnson's All-Star 2010 campaign.

“There's not much to say on just how good he's been,” manager Don Mattingly said. “Obviously it's been dominant. It's going deep into every game. It's just been dominant for the most part, even the nights he seems to be a little bit off. He's still doing what he does. It's one run, it's deep in the game, and he battles.”

Since joining the organization ahead of the 2019 season, pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre Jr. has seen Alcantara blossom. He needed three seconds before articulating his impression of the righty’s first half. Where to begin?

It starts with Alcantara’s consistency and attacking of the strike zone. With decades in the game, Stottlemyre called this the longest run he has had the privilege to sit and watch.

“To have him turn the corner has been impressive, and it was something that we all kind of dreamed of him getting to, and he's bought in,” Stottlemyre said. “He knows who he is as a pitcher, and that's getting all these guys to that point to figure out who they are, how they work, understanding the ups and downs of this game and still competing and keeping yourself in games when your stuff is not good. And to walk away and throw up [six] shutout innings is unbelievable. Besides watching him work every day, and the time that he puts into that, and how diligent and disciplined he is with all of that, that's amazing to get to that point.”

Has Alcantara done enough to become the first Marlin to start the Midsummer Classic? The numbers don’t lie. But future Hall of Famer and nine-time All-Star Clayton Kershaw is the sentimental choice at his home ballpark.

“I think so,” Alcantara said. “I don't have to say too much. I don't like talking about [it]. But if they give me the opportunity, it's going to be great for me, for my team, for my country. If they make a bad decision, they made it. If they make a good decision, they made it. I'm here to do my job.”