A Dominant Start Cut Short
Miami Marlins ace Sandy Alcantara delivered a commanding performance against the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday, nearly etching his name in the record books. For the first eight innings, Alcantara dismantled the Reds’ lineup, extending his scoreless streak to 24 innings to start the season. Having thrown only 82 pitches through the eighth, he was well-positioned to become the first MLB player since 2015 to record back-to-back shutouts.
The Pivotal Ninth Inning
The situation shifted in the bottom of the ninth. After allowing a one-out double to Matt McLain and walking Elly De La Cruz, Marlins manager Clayton McCullough decided to remove Alcantara from the game. At that point, the pitcher had thrown 95 pitches. The move backfired, as reliever Anthony Bender allowed the game to be tied, leading to a 6-3 loss for Miami in the 10th inning. The decision to pull the star pitcher drew immediate disapproval from the home crowd at loanDepot Park.
Alcantara Speaks Out on Management Decisions
Following the game, Alcantara voiced his displeasure with how the managerial change was handled, suggesting he should have been consulted before being pulled.
«I feel like I deserve to be asked how I feel before getting taken out of the game. This is an area where I get to 95 pitches and a righty on deck, it is what it is. Just got to get ready for my next outing,» Alcantara remarked.
When pressed on the matter, the pitcher emphasized his desire for better communication moving forward:
«I’m just a player. I understand there’s a decision that you cannot control. It just happened… I think next time they have to make sure to ask me before taking me out of the game.»
Reclaiming Ace Status
Despite the no-decision on Tuesday, Alcantara has arguably had the most impressive start to the 2026 season of any pitcher in the league. Following his dominant outings against the Colorado Rockies and the Chicago White Sox, his ERA currently sits at 0.74 through 24 1/3 innings.
This resurgence is a significant development for the Marlins. After undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2023 and struggling with a 5.36 ERA last season, Alcantara entered 2026 facing a pivotal year. His return to form has been undeniable, though his public critique of the coaching staff and previous comments regarding low attendance in Miami are fueling fresh trade speculation surrounding the star pitcher.