A competitive ballgame unraveled in the ninth inning as the Marlins suffered an 11-2 loss to the division-rival Atlanta Braves on Tuesday night at loanDepot park. The lopsided final score belied how close the contest was for most of the evening.
Miami entered the ninth tied at two following another strong performance from ace Sandy Alcantara, but a couple of low-leverage arms and some questionable decision-making from the coaching staff turned the game into a rout.
“There were some tough breaks, and once things started rolling downhill, we couldn’t stop it,” manager Clayton McCullough said afterward. “Unfortunately for us, that ninth inning just got away.”
McCullough turned to journeyman reliever Tyler Zuber to open the frame against former All-Stars Marcell Ozuna and Ozzie Albies. After recording one out in between a double and a walk, Zuber gave way to struggling left-hander Josh Simpson. Both Zuber and Simpson were used the night before and had been able to keep Atlanta off the scoreboard.
This time, it was a completely different outcome. Seven of the next nine Braves reached base after Simpson entered and he was tagged for seven earned runs in just one-third of an inning. The rally festered long enough that McCullough called on infielder Javier Sanoja to record the final out, marking his fifth relief appearance of the year
“It’s tough. You’re feeling for him,” McCullough said regarding Simpson. “It’s tough to come into a spot and not be able to get the job done there and for things to turn the way they did. They started rolling downhill and couldn’t really get it to stop.”
The decision not to use closer Ronny Henriquez, who has thrown just 7 ⅔ innings this month, was questioned. McCullough insisted Henriquez was “unavailable,” but also admitted “nothing is wrong” with the right-hander. That explanation left many wondering why Miami continues to carry its top bullpen arm without deploying him in high-leverage situations.
It’s worth noting Henriquez has surpassed his previous career-high in innings pitched, so it could be argued Miami is erring on the side of caution with one of their most valuable relievers.
Miami will most likely need to make a roster move prior to Wednesday’s midday contest against Atlanta.
Before the ninth-inning collapse, Alcantara’s resurgence continued. Though he labored through a 23-pitch first inning that included a bases-loaded jam, he quickly settled in, retiring 10 straight at one point. Over seven innings, he limited Atlanta to two runs while striking out six. His strikeout of Acuña in the sixth marked the 900th of the Dominican right-hander’s career.
Over his last three starts, Alcantara has allowed only four earned runs in 20 innings pitched. He saved some of his best stuff for late in the ballgame, very reminiscent of his 2022 Cy Young self. His ERA is now below 6.00 for the first time since April.
“He was terrific,” McCullough added. “He’s really rounded into form in so many ways and I think it goes back to the way he’s executing his pitches that’s gotten him back to the place he’s accustomed of being.”
Braves rookie starter Hurston Waldrep wasn’t nearly as sharp, but the Marlins missed chances to break the game open.
Jakob Marsee drove in Miami’s first run with an RBI single in the opening frame (the only run surrendered by Waldrep), while the Braves answered with an Albies solo homer in the fourth—Albies is up to 20 career long balls against the Marlins. Miami later tied the game on a wild pitch in the seventh.
With the loss, the Marlins fell to 62-70, eight games below .500, and will look to avoid dropping their seventh straight series in Wednesday’s matinee. Miami has now lost the season series vs. the Braves for the 11th consecutive year. Newly acquired Ryan Gusto is scheduled to start.