Marlins, against Diamondbacks, seek sixth consecutive win

Right-hander Sandy Alcantara appears to be back in form, and the Miami Marlins will be seeking another strong start from him when they play the Arizona Diamondbacks in Phoenix on Saturday.

The Marlins extended their season-long winning streak to five games with a 9-8 victory Friday in the opener of a three-game series. They have won 11 of the past 16 games and their past two series.

Alcantara (4-8, 6.69 ERA) is set to oppose Arizona right-hander Brandon Pfaadt (8-5, 5.49), who is tied with five others for the National League lead in wins.

Miami had 13 hits Friday and has double-digit hits in all five games during the winning streak. Shortstop Otto Lopez had three hits, including a two-run homer, on Friday to extend his hitting streak to eight games. He is 15-for-32 batting with 10 RBIs over that streak.

The Diamondbacks scored three runs in the ninth Friday and had runners on first and third with one out before Tyler Phillips got Tim Tawa to ground into a game-ending double play.

Tawa replaced first baseman Josh Naylor in the seventh inning because of what Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said was neck stiffness for Naylor. He also has been battling right shoulder soreness, and Lovullo said the first baseman probably will not play Saturday.

The Diamondbacks committed two errors that led to two unearned runs.

"There were some things that took place that we need to tighten up," Lovullo said. "There were some moments where we are not doing our job playing pitch and catch. We're not executing some pitches on the mound, and that's to me the difference in the game."

Alcantara, who missed the 2024 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, has turned his season around in June, going 2-1 with a 2.74 ERA in four starts, three of them quality starts.

Heading into June, Alcantara was 2-7 with an 8.47 ERA.

"I've always been confident and patient on what I can do out there," Alcantara said.

"(The) first couple outings of the season was (me) being in trouble. But I never gave up. I know we've got another opportunity the next day. Feel very happy and proud of myself the way that I've been working. We don't stop, the way that I've been patient, waiting for my moment. Very happy and proud of myself."

Alcantara, who won the National League Cy Young Award in 2022, is 0-2 with a 3.23 ERA in five career starts against the Diamondbacks, the most recent a 5-0 home loss on April 16, 2023.

Pfaadt started the season with a 5-1 record and 2.78 ERA. But in 10 starts since, he is 3-4, having given up 38 earned runs in his past 44 2/3 innings. He is coming off a 4-2 loss at the Colorado Rockies on Sunday. He gave up all four runs in five innings of work, striking out seven and tossing 81 pitches.

He is 2-1 with a 6.19 ERA in three career appearances against the Marlins, his win coming when he gave up one run in 5 2/3 innings a 6-2 victory in Miami when he went 5 2/3 innings in a 6-2 victory in Miami on April 16.

Among the Marlins, Jesus Sanchez is 4-for-8 against him, and Kyle Stowers is 2-for-5.

--Field Level Media