MIA 7, BAL 3; Sandy Pitches Quality Start, Sandy Hits Big Home Run

Battery mates with the same first name put the Marlins in control of this game early.

The bats woke up in Baltimore Tuesday night. While 2021 has been a season full of ebbs and flows for the Marlins’ offense, Tuesday’s 7-3 win against the Orioles was an example of what the offense looks like when it flows.

The bottom of the order, most of which has struggled this year, were the main leaders of the hit parade. The fifth through ninth spot in the lineup—Lewin Díaz, Brian Anderson, Isan Diaz, Sandy León, and Magneuris Sierra—combined to go 11-for-23 with five RBI. Anderson, Lewin Díaz, and León each hit a home run. León’s three-run home run in the second inning traveled 403 feet to right field and landed on Eutaw Street outside of Camden Yards.

Lewin was called up Tuesday from Triple-A Jacksonville for this series since it is in an American League park with the designated hitter rule in effect. This allowed Díaz to play first base and give Jesús Aguilar a partial day off as the DH.

If he’s getting the at-bats, it’s worth him being here,” Marlins manager Don Mattingly said. “If he’s not, then it’s better to keep playing (in Triple-A), I think he’s showing us, a lot like Jesús, just better at-bats. More under control this year than last…the biggest thing with guys like Lewin, you want him to have at bats. You don’t want him to sit around.”

Lewin has 17 home runs between Triple-A and MLB this season.

For what seemed like the first time in forever, Marlins starting pitcher Sandy Alcantara was given ample run support.Alcantara was making his first start in 11 days after coming off the bereavement list. He shared with the media post game that he lost his mother, who he described as the “captain of our house.”

“I was waiting for this,” Alcantara said. “I hope she was watching the game too. I did a pretty good job today. You guys could see it.”

Alcantara did a good job of limiting traffic and mowing through the Orioles’ lineup. His only mistakes were a couple pitches down the middle to Austin Hays and Cedric Mullins which both resulted in solo home runs.

Anthony Bass, Anthony Bender, and Dylan Floro combined for three scoreless innings in relief for Miami.

The Marlins and Orioles play again Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. Jordan Holloway will take the mound against Baltimore’s Jorge López.

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Baseball Savant

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