Marlins hold off Diamondbacks 4-3 with Alcantara getting 1st career save

PHOENIX (AP) – Jakob Marsee hit a two-run homer and Sandy Alcantara earned his first career save as the Miami Marlins held off the Arizona Diamondbacks 4-3 on Wednesday night.

Key points

• The Diamondbacks (80-73) fell 3 1/2 games behind San Diego for the final NL wild card with nine remaining.
• Marsee connected for his 11th homer in the third against Merrill Kelly (9-14) with Javier Sanoja on base.
• Alcantara, who leads the majors with 206 innings pitched this season, obtained two deep flyouts before walking Lars Nootbaar.

With the Marlins (76-77) on the fringe of the National League playoff race, manager Clayton McCullough called on his ace starter for the ninth inning – two days after Alcantara threw 101 pitches in a no-decision at Arizona.

Alcantara, who leads the majors with 206 innings pitched this season, obtained two deep flyouts before walking Lars Nootbaar. Pinch-runner Jordan Lawlar attempted to steal second but was thrown out by catcher Joe Mack to end it.

For context, the Diamondbacks (80-73) fell 3 1/2 games behind San Diego for the final NL wild card with nine remaining.

Marsee connected for his 11th homer in the third against Merrill Kelly (9-14) with Javier Sanoja on base. Marsee additionally doubled to start Miami's two-run second inning. The Marlins eventually loaded the bases and Heriberto Hernández drove in a run with an infield single and another run scored on third baseman Nolan Arenado's throwing error.

For now, marlins hold off Diamondbacks 4-3 with Alcantara getting 1st career save remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.