Alcantara Leads Marlins to 2-1 Opener Win Over Rockies

Miami Marlins ace Sandy Alcantara delivered a dominant performance on the mound Friday, allowing just one unearned run over seven innings to lead his team to a 2-1 victory over the Colorado Rockies in the season opener for both clubs at loanDepot park.

Alcantara, making his franchise-record sixth opening day start, scattered four hits, walked two and struck out five while throwing only 73 pitches. The 30-year-old right-hander, Miami's longest-tenured player in his eighth major league season, retired the side in order through three innings before navigating a tense fourth. There, Rockies leadoff hitter Jake McCarthy reached on a bunt single, stole second and was thrown out at the plate by right fielder Austin Slater on Hunter Goodman's single. Miami third baseman Javier Sanoja then committed a fielding error on Ezequiel Tovar's grounder, loading the bases after a walk to T.J. Rumfield. Jordan Beck followed with an RBI infield single that scored Willi Castro for Colorado's lone run. Alcantara escaped further damage and retired the final nine batters he faced, including striking out Beck to end the seventh after a leadoff walk.

The Marlins jumped ahead in the second inning against...