Sandy Alcantara dominates as Marlins beat Padres 3-2 on July 24, 2025. See how Alcantara's vintage start and a Jesús Sánchez homer clinched the series.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
That's the Sandy Alcantara we know and love. In a masterful performance reminiscent of his Cy Young campaign, 'The Sandman' silenced the San Diego Padres on Wednesday, paving the way for a crucial 3-2 victory. With the win, the Marlins have now won back-to-back series, and a tangible buzz is starting to build around this team.
7 innings, 1 run, 4 strikeouts, 0 walks. Vintage Sandy.
Sandy Alcantara was simply dealing. For seven dominant innings, he was the ace the Marlins have been desperate to see consistently in 2025. He commanded the zone, allowing just one run while striking out four and, most importantly, issuing zero walks. Working efficiently on just 98 pitches, Alcantara kept the Padres' hitters off balance and gave his team the foundation it needed to win. This wasn't just a good start; it was a statement that the 2022 NL Cy Young winner is ready to lead this rotation down the stretch.
While Sandy was shutting down the Padres, the offense provided just enough support. The big blow came in the fifth inning when Jesús Sánchez launched a two-run homer, his 9th of the season, to give Miami the lead. But the scoring started early, thanks to the hot bat of rookie Augustín Ramírez. The young catcher continued his torrid July, driving in Xavier Edwards with a single in the first inning. Ramírez's timely hitting has been a revelation since the All-Star break, adding a much-needed spark to the lineup.
Things got tense late, but the bullpen held firm. After Josh Simpson recorded an out, Calvin Faucher was called upon for a high-leverage, four-out save. He entered with two runners on in the eighth and promptly ended the threat. Faucher then returned for the ninth, closing out the game and securing the 3-2 win. It was a gritty, multi-inning effort that showcased the bullpen's ability to bend without breaking.
The excitement isn't just confined to loanDepot park. The Marlins' farm system is rapidly becoming one of the league's most improved, now considered a near top-10 system. The organization is loaded with high-upside talent, with 12 of the top 15 prospects acquired since the start of 2024. A prime example is third baseman Diwarys Encarnación, who is tearing up the Dominican Summer League with a .305/.399/.534 slash line and seven homers. His breakout, along with the development of players like Starlyn Caba and Dillon Head, shows that the current big-league success is being built on a sustainable foundation.
After a well-deserved day off on Thursday, the Marlins will face a true test as they welcome the Milwaukee Brewers to town. Riding the high of two straight series wins and a dominant performance from their ace, this weekend will show us if this recent surge is a hot streak or the start of a serious second-half push. One thing is for sure: with Sandy back in form and the future looking bright, it's a great time to be a Marlins fan.
