Sandy Alcantara comes out of the bullpen on 1 day of rest and earns 1st career save for Marlins

PHOENIX (AP) — Miami Marlins ace Sandy Alcantara has pitched more than 200 innings this season. None of them came in a save situation — until Wednesday night.

With the Marlins clinging to faint playoff hopes, Alcantara came out of the bullpen for the first time in nine years and closed out a 4-3 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Just two days after throwing 101 pitches in a no-decision at Arizona, the 31-year-old right-hander worked a scoreless ninth inning for his first major league save and said he felt “great.”

“If I’m here, I’m going to do everything I can to help the team win,” Alcantara explained.

After going five innings Monday in Miami's 8-7 loss, Alcantara told pitching coach Daniel Moskos he could help out Wednesday if needed.

“Daniel passed that along to me. (Alcantara) headed down (to the bullpen) in the sixth inning or so and I told him he had the ninth,” manager Clayton McCullough said.

Miami used eight pitchers Tuesday during an 11-inning victory, and the Marlins (76-77) are still fighting to stay in the pennant race. They trail San Diego by 7 1/2 games for the final National League wild card with nine to play.

“It speaks to Sandy in a lot of ways. This happened 10 days ago when he headed down there (between starts), but it didn't work out,” McCullough added. “It's as much a testament to him wanting to win, what it means to this group. You saw the excitement from the group."

Alcantara, who leads the majors with 206 innings pitched this season, got two deep flyouts before walking Lars Nootbaar. Pinch-runner Jordan Lawlar attempted to steal second but was thrown out by catcher Joe Mack to end it.

Alcantara has made 201 big league starts. His eight previous relief appearances all came as a rookie with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2017.

A two-time All-Star and the 2022 NL Cy Young Award winner, Alcantara is 13-10 with a 3.84 ERA in 32 starts and now one relief outing this season.

McCullough said Alcantara will start Sunday in San Diego as scheduled. But the pitcher said he's ready if needed before then.

“This is my first one," Alcantara said. "Hopefully they keep giving me the opportunity.”

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Miami Marlins starting pitcher Sandy Alcantara throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Miami Marlins pitcher Sandy Alcantara throws against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the first inning of a baseball game, Monday, Sept 14, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Miami Marlins' Jakob Marsee, right, celebrates a win against the Arizona Diamondbacks with Marlins' Griffin Conine (18) after a baseball game, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Miami Marlins shortstop Otto Lopez, left, celebrates after tagging out Arizona Diamondbacks' Jordan Lawlar during the ninth inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Miami Marlins pitcher Sandy Alcantara, left, celebrates a win against the Arizona Diamondbacks with Marlins manager Clayton McCullough after a baseball game, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

PHOENIX (AP) — Jakob Marsee hit a two-run homer and Sandy Alcantara earned his first career save as the Miami Marlins held off the Arizona Diamondbacks 4-3 on Wednesday night.

With the Marlins (76-77) on the fringe of the National League playoff race, manager Clayton McCullough called on his ace starter for the ninth inning — two days after Alcantara threw 101 pitches in a no-decision at Arizona.

Alcantara, who leads the majors with 206 innings pitched this season, got two deep flyouts before walking Lars Nootbaar. Pinch-runner Jordan Lawlar attempted to steal second but was thrown out by catcher Joe Mack to end it.

The Diamondbacks (80-73) fell 3 1/2 games behind San Diego for the final NL wild card with nine remaining.

Marsee connected for his 11th homer in the third against Merrill Kelly (9-14) with Javier Sanoja on base. Marsee also doubled to start Miami’s two-run second inning. The Marlins eventually loaded the bases and Heriberto Hernández drove in a run with an infield single. Another run scored on third baseman Nolan Arenado’s throwing error.

Hernández had four of Miami's 10 hits.

Pavin Smith, Gabriel Moreno and Arenado homered for Arizona. Moreno had three hits to raise his batting average to .307; the Phillies' Luis Arraez leads the National League at .316.

Kelly, making his 200th major league start, lasted 4 2/3 innings. He gave up seven hits and four runs (three earned) with two walks and nine strikeouts.

Ryne Nelson, just activated from the 60-day injured list, pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings in his first appearance since June 15. He had been sidelined with a strained right elbow.

Marlins starter Ryan Gusto also didn’t make it out of the fifth, allowing eight hits and two runs. Cade Gibson (5-1) got five outs for the win.

Alcantara has made 201 big league starts. His eight previous relief appearances all came as a rookie with St. Louis in 2017.

Marlins: Following a day off, RHP Tyler Phillips (5-6, 3.55 ERA) starts Friday in San Diego.

Diamondbacks: Begin a three-game series Friday against the New York Yankees at Chase Field.

See AP’s full MLB coverage here

Miami Marlins shortstop Otto Lopez, left, celebrates after tagging out Arizona Diamondbacks' Jordan Lawlar during the ninth inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Miami Marlins' Jakob Marsee, left, celebrates his two-run home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks with Marlins' Deyvison De Los Santos during the third inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Gabriel Moreno rounds the bases after hitting a home run against the Miami Marlins during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Miami Marlins' Jakob Marsee, right, celebrates his two-run home run with Marlins' Javier Sanoja (8) as Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Gabriel Moreno, left, pauses at home plate during the third inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Miami Marlins pitcher Sandy Alcantara, left, celebrates a win against the Arizona Diamondbacks with Marlins manager Clayton McCullough after a baseball game, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Miami Marlins pitcher Sandy Alcantara throws against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the first inning of a baseball game, Monday, Sept 14, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)