Trending Now - Alcantara's Frustration Grows After Early Exit in Marlins' Loss
WHO:
MLB.com - Sandy Alcantara, Clayton McCullough (Marlins manager), Matt McLain (Reds player), Elly De La Cruz (Reds player), Anthony Bender (Marlins pitcher), Calvin Faucher (Marlins pitcher), Pete Fairbanks (Marlins closer).
WHAT:
MLB.com - Alcantara was two outs away from becoming the first Major Leaguer to throw back-to-back shutouts in 11 years before being removed from the game.
MLB.com - Alcantara's shutout on March 29th, 2026, was described as a "Maddux," meaning it was a shutout thrown with fewer than 100 pitches.
MLB.com - Alcantara allowed his first extra-base hit of the season, a double with an exit velocity of 79.7 mph, in the ninth inning.
MLB.com - Anthony Bender, who replaced Alcantara, allowed a double steal, a sacrifice fly, and a wild pitch that contributed to the game-tying run.
MLB.com - Sandy Alcantara was removed from the game in the ninth inning while pitching, leading to a Marlins loss of 6-3 against the Reds in 10 innings.
MLB.com - Alcantara had thrown a shutout in his previous game and entered the ninth inning with only 83 pitches thrown.
MLB.com - Alcantara allowed just three runs (two earned) over 24 1/3 innings in the season.
NY Post - Alcantara had not allowed a single run this season before being pulled.
WHERE:
MLB.com - The game took place at loanDepot park in Miami.
WHEN:
MLB.com - The game occurred on Tuesday night, April 5th, 2026.
MLB.com - Alcantara pitched a shutout on March 29th, 2026.
WHY:
MLB.com - Manager Clayton McCullough cited Alcantara's .596 career OPS against when facing the lineup a fourth time as a factor in his decision to remove him.
MLB.com - Manager Clayton McCullough decided to remove Alcantara due to concerns about facing the lineup a fourth time and the need for a right-handed pitcher against Sal Stewart.
MLB.com - Alcantara expressed frustration about not being consulted before his removal, stating, “I think I deserve to be asked how I feel before taking me out of the game [at] 95 pitches and [with a] righty on deck.”
HOW:
MLB.com - Alcantara expressed that he could have been more aggressive in his pitching approach, particularly against Elly De La Cruz, who he noted is aggressive at the plate.
MLB.com - Alcantara was removed after allowing a double and a walk in the ninth inning, leading to a decision to bring in Anthony Bender from the bullpen.
(UPDATED April 8, 2026 11:18 UTC)
In a thrilling game, Sandy Alcantara was just two outs away from making history as the first Major Leaguer to throw back-to-back shutouts in 11 years before being pulled from the game. His previous shutout March 29th was a remarkable "Maddux," achieved with fewer than 100 pitches, but he allowed his first extra-base hit of the season, a double, in the ninth inning. Manager Clayton McCullough made the decision to replace Alcantara due to his career OPS against the lineup when facing them a fourth time, and Alcantara himself acknowledged he could have been more aggressive in his pitching, especially against the aggressive Elly De La Cruz.
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(UPDATED April 8, 2026 07:20 UTC)
In a surprising turn of events on Tuesday night, on Sunday, Sandy Alcantara was removed from the game in the ninth inning, resulting in a 6-3 loss for the Marlins against the Reds in 10 innings at loanDepot park in Miami. Despite throwing a shutout in his previous outing and allowing only three runs over 24 and a third innings this season, manager Clayton McCullough opted to pull Alcantara due to concerns about facing the lineup a fourth time, which left the pitcher frustrated as he felt he should have been consulted before the decision was made. Alcantara's removal came after he allowed a double and a walk, leading to the introduction of Anthony Bender from the bullpen.