Sandy Alcantara’s gem not enough as Miami Marlins swept by New York Yankees

Sandy Alcantara once again gave the Miami Marlins a pristine performance on the mound.

The Marlins once again couldn’t give him enough run support.

And with that, one of the frustrating dichotomies of the Marlins’ 2021 season was once again on full display at loanDepot park on Sunday, with Miami falling 3-1 to the New York Yankees to complete the sweep in the three game series. The Marlins (44-61) lost the first two games of the series 3-1 on Friday and 4-2 on Saturday.

This loss, though, does not fall on Alcantara’s right arm. The Marlins’ ace threw seven shutout innings against the Yankees, struck out a career-high-tying 10 batters and allowed just three baserunners while throwing 99 pitches, 62 of which went for strikes.

“That was phenomenal,” Marlins acting manager James Rowson said. “He went out there and pitched great. He kept us in the game.”

Alcantara held the Yankees hitless the first time through the order but needed 50 pitches to get through the first three innings.

He became more economical with his pitch count down the stretch, needing 15 pitches in the fourth, 13 in the fifth, 13 in the sixth and eight in the seventh.

“I was just thinking about the game situation,” Alcantara said, “because we faced one of the best teams on the league. I just want to go deep in the game.”

Alcantara went deep in the game and performed well as he churned through seven innings.

But once again, the Marlins were on the losing end of a game despite that.

Sunday was the seventh time this season Alcantara threw at least seven innings and allowed no more than two earned runs. The Marlins, somehow, are 2-5 in those games this season.

“I don’t feel any pressure,” said Alcantara, who has a 3.12 ERA over 132 2/3 innings in his 22 starts this season. “It is what it is. We have to keep working hard and keep playing the game.”

The loss trickles down to a pair of defensive miscues from Brian Anderson and Jazz Chisholm Jr. as well as another game with virtually no offense.

Anderson, a Gold Glove Award finalist a year ago, bobbled a Giancarlo Stanton groundball that eliminated an inning-ending double play opportunity and then made a bad throw to first base. Instead of the Marlins being out of the top of the eighth inning with a one-run lead, the Yankees had runners at the corners with one out.

Anthony Rizzo hit a game-tying RBI single to left field for his latest clutch hit in his first series since being traded to the Yankees from the Chicago Cubs. Rizzo, a Parkland Marjory Stoneman Douglas alumnus, hit home runs on Friday and Saturday. Aaron Judge then gave the Yankees (56-48) their first lead of the game with an RBI single through the left side.

One inning later, Chisholm failed to properly a two-out ground ball from Brett Gardner. Gleyber Torres rounded second base and was heading to third when he saw Chisholm’s misplay. Chisholm’s quick throw sailed wide past Anderson and allowed Torres to score.

“Just went out there and tried to make the best play possible,” Chisholm said. “Bobbled it, looked up, saw [Torres] going to third, tried to make a play at third and threw it away. Just got to get up and shake it off and get the next one.”

The Marlins plated their lone run of the game in the first inning. Miguel Rojas hit a leadoff double, moved to third on a Chisholm infield single and scored on a Anderson RBI groundout.

Miami had just two hits the rest of the game. Sunday was the 24th time this year the Marlins scored no more than one run.

“It’s tough to be on the losing end of these close games right there,” Rowson said. “I know it’s tough for the players in the clubhouse, but the mindset is you look at what you did, you analyze the good and you analyze the bad and and you’re ready to move forward come out tomorrow and do it again. You have to keep your energy positive. You have to keep moving forward. If not, you make it a lot longer and a lot tougher on yourself.”

This and that

▪ Rowson said he texted with Don Mattingly, who said he “felt a lot better.” Mattingly is away from the team after testing positive for COVID-19 on Saturday.

As of now, the Marlins have not talked about adding anyone to the coaching staff in Mattingly’s absence.

▪ Outfielder Bryan De La Cruz recorded his first MLB hit in the fifth inning on Sunday, a low line-drive single to left field.

▪ Prior to Sunday’s game, the Marlins optioned first baseman Lewin Diaz to Triple A Jacksonville and selected the contract of left-handed pitcher Sean Guenther.