Marlins Dominate A's
Sandy Alcantara Extends Win Streak, Otto Lopez Shines as Marlins Defeat A's
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The Miami Marlins crushed the Athletics 7-2 on Saturday at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento, California, outscoring the A's 19-7 across the first two games of the series. Otto Lopez, fresh off learning he had been named to his first career All-Star Game, went 3-for-5 with a home run and three RBIs to pace the offensive attack. SM Daily Journal reported that Sandy Alcantara allowed just one run on six hits with eight strikeouts over eight innings, picking up his seventh consecutive winning start.
Alcantara, the 2022 NL Cy Young winner who missed the entire 2024 season recovering from Tommy John surgery, improved to 10-4 on the year. His win streak is the longest by a Marlins starter since 2016, according to St. Albert Gazette.
Lopez Celebrates All-Star Nod With a Career Night
Otto Lopez found out Saturday morning he had made the NL All-Star roster for the first time in his career. He made it count at the plate. Lopez hit a two-run homer in the third inning, added an RBI double in the fifth, and finished 3-for-5 with three runs batted in. He is currently hitting .337, the best average in all of Major League Baseball, according to Newsday.
Lopez has recorded 38 multi-hit games before the All-Star break in 2026, breaking a Marlins franchise record previously held by Miguel Cabrera, who had 36 in 2006. Winnipeg Free Press noted that his rapid rise into an elite contact hitter has been the engine behind Miami's offensive surge all season.
Alcantara's Full Comeback From Tommy John Surgery
Sandy Alcantara had a rough 2025 return from surgery, posting a 5.36 ERA across 174.2 innings. In 2026, he is a completely different pitcher. On Saturday he threw 8.0 innings, giving up just one run, walking one, and striking out eight. Tyler Zuber closed it out in the ninth to secure Alcantara's 10th win, according to Medicine Hat News.
During spring training, Alcantara had set modest expectations for himself. "Coming back from TJ, you're not going to do great since the first day," he said. "You've got to be step by step." He has clearly surpassed those expectations with one of the most impressive midseason runs in the NL this year.
A's Slide to 10 Losses in Last 13 Games
Athletics starter Aaron Civale took the loss, falling to 5-6 on the season. He gave up four runs on five hits in 4.2 innings. Joe Mack hit a solo homer off Civale in the third inning. Lopez followed with his two-run blast. Kyle Stowers added a two-run insurance homer in the seventh off Kade Morris, per The State.
The A's have now lost 10 of their last 13 games overall. Catcher Shea Langeliers also missed the series after suffering a left thumb contusion on a passed ball in Friday's game. Manager Mark Kotsay confirmed Langeliers "underwent X-rays and will be evaluated further." The Athletics are playing their second season of a temporary three-year stay at Sutter Health Park while waiting for their permanent Las Vegas stadium, set to open in 2028.
Marlins at 48-42, Now a Real Wild Card Threat
Miami went 20-6 in June under manager Clayton McCullough, pulling the team back into the NL Wild Card race. After Friday's 12-5 blowout, McCullough said of Sutter Health Park's hitter-friendly dimensions: "I don't know if you can ever have enough [runs] here." The Marlins sit at 48-42, six games over .500, heading into the All-Star break.
Alcantara's resurgence also makes him the most coveted starting pitcher available ahead of the July 31 trade deadline. He is owed $17 million in 2026, with a $21 million team option for 2027. According to Leader Telegram, the Marlins could command a massive prospect return if they choose to sell at peak value rather than build around their ace.
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