{"id":649440,"date":"2026-03-28T23:09:39","date_gmt":"2026-03-28T23:09:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/649440\/"},"modified":"2026-03-28T23:09:39","modified_gmt":"2026-03-28T23:09:39","slug":"alcantara-dominates-as-marlins-beat-rockies-2-1-on-opening-day-in-miami","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/649440\/","title":{"rendered":"Alcantara Dominates as Marlins Beat Rockies 2\u20131 on Opening Day in Miami"},"content":{"rendered":"

MIAMI \u2014 Just ten days removed from the World Baseball Classic<\/a> at loanDepot park \u2014 where countries like Venezuela<\/a>, the Dominican Republic and the United States played for something far bigger than a regular season \u2014 the ballpark felt different Friday night.<\/p>\n

With the roof open and the city finally let back into the game, the stage had shifted from global stakes to 162-game grind. But not immediately. Miami waited \u2014 forty-eight hours after Major League Baseball opened its season under the national spotlight in San Francisco on Netflix<\/a> \u2014 for its turn.<\/p>\n

And when it finally came, it felt like no one had waited longer than the players themselves.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was tired after the eleven pitch at-bat, I\u2019ll tell you that,\u201d Connor Norby said in the on-field postgame<\/a>, adding that after weeks of feeling ready, \u201cI wish Opening Day was a week ago.\u201d<\/p>\n

Xavier Edwards reached to spark the rally before Owen Caissie<\/a> \u2014 making his Marlins debut after a late lineup adjustment \u2014 stepped in and worked through a tough sequence. After falling behind in a breaking-ball-heavy mix, Caissie stayed back on an 84.5 mph sweeper and drove it into center field for an RBI double, scoring the first run of Miami\u2019s season.<\/p>\n

Javier Sanoja followed immediately, lining a ground ball into left to bring Caissie home and extend the lead to 2\u20130.<\/p>\n

Sanoja<\/a> finished 3-for-3, accounting for three of Miami\u2019s eight hits in a controlled offensive performance.<\/p>\n

\"Miami<\/p>\n

Miami Marlins\u2019 Owen Caissie scores in the second inning on a single hit by Javier Sanoja during the second inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies, Friday, March 27, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo\/Lynne Sladky)<\/p>\n

Alcantara in Control, Defense Changes the Game<\/p>\n

Sandy Alcantara<\/a> delivered exactly what Miami needed \u2014 and what Opening Day often demands.<\/p>\n

The Marlins\u2019 ace worked seven innings, allowing just one unearned run while striking out five, continuing his return to form after a turbulent 2025 season.<\/p>\n

As has often been the case throughout his career, Alcantara did not receive much run support. Instead, he was backed by defense \u2014 and one defining moment in the fourth inning.<\/p>\n

With Colorado threatening, Hunter Goodman sent a line drive into right field, but Austin Slater charged and delivered a perfect throw to the plate to cut down Jake McCarthy, preserving Miami\u2019s lead in a play that ultimately defined the game.<\/p>\n

Newbie Austin Slater throws out the runner at the plate. <\/p>\n

92.5 mph arm strength#Marlins<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/RQcnqKBnhX<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Christina De Nicola (@CDeNicola13) March 28, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Nardi\u2019s Return Adds Weight to the Night<\/p>\n

Beyond the box score, one of the night\u2019s most meaningful moments came in the eighth inning.<\/p>\n

Andrew Nardi returned to a major league mound for the first time in 583 days, following a long recovery from elbow and back injuries that sidelined him for much of the past two seasons.<\/p>\n

Nardi struck out two batters in a high-leverage spot, showing both velocity and command in a critical moment that helped bridge the game to the late innings.<\/p>\n

It was a reminder that Opening Day is not just about results \u2014 it\u2019s about returns.<\/p>\n

Bender Escapes, Fairbanks Finishes<\/p>\n

The game\u2019s highest-leverage moment arrived moments later.<\/p>\n

With the Rockies threatening, Anthony Bender worked a full-count battle against Willi Castro<\/a>, mixing sweepers and a mid-90s sinker before finishing the at-bat with an 84.3 mph sweeper that resulted in a foul-tip strikeout.<\/p>\n

The escape preserved Miami\u2019s one-run lead and effectively shifted the game\u2019s outcome.<\/p>\n

In the ninth, Pete Fairbanks<\/a> closed it out in his Marlins debut, working around a one-out single before inducing soft contact to end the game and secure the save.<\/p>\n

\"Miami<\/p>\n

Miami Marlins catcher Agust\u00edn Ram\u00edrez (50) and pitcher Pete Fairbanks, right, embrace after the Marlins defeated the Colorado Rockies during a baseball game, Friday, March 27, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo\/Lynne Sladky)<\/p>\n

A Game That Felt Like Miami Baseball<\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t a loud game. It wasn\u2019t clean offensively. But it felt like Miami.<\/p>\n

Ten days after this ballpark was hosting countries playing for everything, it was back to one team, one game, and 81 of them ahead at home.<\/p>\n

The roof was open. The crowd was into it. Every pitch late actually mattered.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s the version of baseball the Marlins need to lean into \u2014 because in this city, when it feels real, people show up for it.<\/p>\n

Up Next<\/p>\n

The Marlins continue their Opening Weekend series against the Rockies on Saturday at loanDepot park, with first pitch scheduled for 4:10 p.m. ET.<\/p>\n

Opening Day gave fans more than just a 2\u20131 win. The first 25,000 through the gates received a Kyle Stowers<\/a> bobblehead<\/a> \u2014 even with the outfielder currently sidelined as he works back from a hamstring injury \u2014 with 50 gold versions mixed in, while the team debuted new teal jerseys and capped the night with postgame fireworks under an open roof.<\/p>\n

The weekend continues Saturday with Kids Opening Day, featuring family-focused activities and entertainment throughout the ballpark, before Sunday Funday returns with giveaways<\/a>, the Diamond Dash, and the Marlins taking the field in their teal jerseys as part of Teal Sunday.<\/p>\n

For a team trying to build momentum early, the Opening Weekend series offers both a competitive start on the field and a full return of the ballpark experience.<\/p>\n

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