Game Recap: Marlins, Alcantara Beat Mets 3-0 For Sweep

The New York Mets (20-25) were defeated by the Miami Marlins (13-31) by a score of 3-0 Sunday afternoon at Marlins Park in Miami. This completed a Marlins’ sweep, their first since 2017. The game lasted under two hours.

Offense:

What offense?

The Mets were absolutely dominated by young starter Sandy Alcantara today. The 23-year-old, who came into the day with a 5.11 ERA, 5.24 FIP, and 1.636 WHIP, threw his first career complete game and shutout. He tossed a Greg Maddux, shutting out the Mets on just 89 pitches. He allowed two hits and one walk, striking out eight.

J.D. Davis had the Mets’ two hits.

The Mets were held to two hits or fewer in two consecutive games for the first time since 1967. The only other time that’s happened came in 1965.

Pitching:

Noah Syndergaard started for the Mets and did what you should do against the Marlins. He carried a perfect game into the 5th inning but ended up allowing two runs, both the result of mostly weak contact.

Neil Walker led off the 5th inning with a weak sinking liner to center field, just over the glove of a leaping J.D. Davis and the Mets’ shift, to break up Thor’s perfect game bid. Walker was immediately erased by a double play and the inning ended soon after.

Rosell Herrera led off the 6th inning with a hustle double on a ball that just eluded the glove of a leaping Adeiny Hechavarria. He was advanced to third base on a perfectly-placed bunt by Marlins starter Sandy Alcantara, allowing him to reach base as well. With runners on first and third, Curtis Granderson grounded into a 4-6-3 double play as the Mets traded a run for two outs.

Leading off the 7th inning, Neil Walker continued his good day with a double to center field before being advanced to third on a groundout. Miguel Rojas then hit a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring Walker from third. The ball was fairly deep, but Gold Glover Juan Lagares made it a close play, delivering a throw just a few feet up the third base line. Walker eluded Nido’s tag and scored the Marlins’ second run of the game.

That would be it for Noah Syndergaard despite throwing only 82 pitches. He ended up allowing the two earned runs on five hits and one walk, striking out three.

Seth Lugo was tasked with the eight inning and made quick work of Alcantara for the first out. Former Met Curtis Granderson then lined a wall-scraper just over the right field fence for the Marlins’ third run of the day.