Miami Marlins ace Sandy Alcántara righted the ship against the Los Angeles Dodgers by holding them to just one run and getting through a complete game with 10 strikeouts in a 2-1 win at loanDepot Park.
When Alcántara started at Dodger Stadium on Aug. 21, the Dodgers chased him after 3.2 innings and the right-hander was charged for a season-high six runs.
Alcántara adjusted his approach when facing the Dodgers for a second time, and it not only amounted to a win, but also helped the National League Cy Young Award frontrunner make MLB history.
Per STATS LLC, Alcántara is the first pitcher to ever throw a complete game with 10 strikeouts against a team at least 50 games over .500 and with a lineup that includes three MVP winners.
The @Marlins' Sandy Alcantara:
First 10-K CG win vs. team 50+ games over .500 since Arnie Portocarrero at NYY on 9/24/1954
First 10-K CG win vs. team with 3 former MVPs in lineup since Tim Belcher vs. ChC on 8/30/1991
No one else has achieved both feats over his entire career.
— Stats By STATS (@StatsBySTATS) August 28, 2022
The lone run Alcántara allowed on Saturday night came via a Mookie Betts homer. The Dodgers put two runners on in the second inning but otherwise didn’t really threaten until loading the bases with two outs in the ninth. Joey Gallo made solid contact, only to groundout to first base to end the game.
While the 26-year-old pitches with plenty of velocity, Alcántara didn’t reach 100 mph until the eighth inning, when he did so five times. Included in that was a 101 mph four-seam fastball to Betts.
The complete game was Alcántara’s MLB-leading fourth this season.
Dave Roberts credits Sandy Alcántara
After the Dodgers fell short against the Marlins, manager Dave Roberts spoke highly of Alcántara and his adjustment to throw more off-speed pitches.
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