MIAMI — Sandy Alcantara refused to let setbacks define his career.
The Miami Marlins ace overcame Tommy John surgery that sidelined him for all of 2024 and a disappointing 2025 campaign that saw him finish 11-12 with a 5.36 ERA. Through it all, Alcantara maintained his confidence.
“I always kept the faith,” the pitcher said.
That faith paid off Wednesday when Alcantara delivered Major League Baseball’s first complete game of the season, dominating the Chicago White Sox in a 10-0 victory that required just 93 pitches.
The masterful performance represents Alcantara’s second career “Maddux” — a complete game shutout accomplished in fewer than 100 pitches, named after Hall of Fame pitcher Greg Maddux. The outing also marked his 13th career complete game and fifth shutout.
“Many negative things happened last year but that didn’t hold me back trying to be better,” Alcantara explained. “This year, I am going to give my best every time, win more games and be more aggressive in counts. Today, as a club, we did a tremendous job.”
Chicago’s offense never threatened, failing to advance a runner past first base against Alcantara (2-0), who allowed just three hits while striking out seven and hitting one batter. Following a strong season-opening performance against Colorado, the 2022 National League Cy Young Award winner has now thrown 15 consecutive scoreless innings.
Alcantara’s arsenal proved unstoppable, featuring six different pitches. While relying primarily on his changeup and four-seam fastball, he also effectively mixed in his slider, sweeper, sinker and cutter to keep White Sox hitters off balance.
“Everything was working. Everything was good today,” Alcantara noted. “I think I did a great job, trying to not miss much.”
Catcher Liam Hicks provided offensive fireworks while working behind the plate, launching a home run and adding two singles while driving in four runs. His 12 RBIs currently lead the major leagues.
“It was fun,” Hicks said about catching Alcantara’s dominant outing. “He had a lot of pitches working. When you’re back there and he’s rolling like that, it’s cool to see. It makes your job catching easy.”
Manager Clayton McCullough’s decision to let his ace finish became increasingly obvious as Alcantara worked efficiently through the lineup. After needing only three pitches to retire Chicago in the eighth inning, the choice was clear.
“I gave him a thumbs up and he gave me a thumbs up,” McCullough recalled.
The skipper praised the exceptional performance, calling it remarkable.
“It’s hard to do that today, to go nine innings with how you view workload,” McCullough observed. “Hitters are good. He was so efficient and guys played great behind him.”
Complete games have become increasingly rare in modern baseball. Last season featured just 29 complete games across the majors, while pitchers managed only 13 shutouts — the fewest in a full season since 1873.
