Miami

Marlins

The 24-year-old backstop got the start as the Marlins’ designated hitter in this one and didn’t disappoint, clubbing a 426-foot (108.3-mph EV) solo shot on a first-pitch cutter from Michael Wacha in the fourth inning. He’s now hitting .230/.325/.339 with three homers, 18 RBI and four stolen bases in 200 plate appearances with the Marlins on the season.

Alcantara struck out two batters in the contest while walking one. Carter Jensen was responsible for most of the damage done against him, with an RBI triple in the third inning and a two-run blast in the fifth. The 30-year-old righty got eight whiffs on 98 pitches on the evening, posting a miserable CSW of only 20 percent. He’ll bring a 13-9 record, 3.54 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and a 142/51 K/BB ratio (195 2/3 innings) into Tuesday’s battle against the Mets.

Stowers was hit on the foot by a Craig Kimbrel pitch, but unfortunately, it was another hamstring issue that did him in tonight. He was just on the IL from Aug. 11-24 with a left hamstring strain. He also missed the start of the season with a right hamstring strain. If Stowers goes back on the IL, it would potentially lead to more at-bats for Agustín Ramírez and Deyvison De Los Santos.

He’s been on the roster almost all year outside of a small stint on the 7-day concussion injured list. It’s been a disastrous run out for the Marlins as he’s hit .199/.306/.259 in 194 plate appearances after coming over from the Blue Jays in the big Dub Gleed trade. The 25-year-old could find himself claimed on waivers.

The 23-year-old has a .333/.333/.444 line in nine plate appearances with the Marlins this year. He doesn’t figure to come into immediate everyday playing time but perhaps he can find his way into the lineup if the Marlins drift out of the NL Wild Card race.

Stowers absolutely had Royals’ starter Noah Cameron’s number in this one. He poked a run-scoring single in the first inning and then took him deep for a 410 foot home run in the third. That homer dragged his OPS over .800 for the first time in nearly two months as he’s quietly put together a solid season.

It’s almost impossible to have a less stressful ninth inning than the one Faucher pitched here. It took him just six pitches to force three ground balls and close this one out. He now has two saves and two holds over his last six appearances and looks to be the Marlins’ closer with Peter Fairbanks on the injured list.

The Royals jumped all over Pérez for a five-run first inning in this rough start. It started poorly when Carter Jensen hit a lead-off home run and then Pérez allowed another home run and two doubles on the way to that crooked number. Things didn’t get much better after that as he struggled to command each of his fastball and sinker while his slider was inconsistent. Also, his velocity was down by about one mile per hour across the board, which is always scary this time of year. He’s scheduled for a two-start week against the Mets and Dodgers coming up.

Stowers’ home run was his 17th of the season. He hit a solo shot off Randy Dobnak in the fifth inning. It was Stowers’ first home run in eight games since returning from a hamstring injury. He’s hitting .245 with a .793 OPS and 57 RBI this year.

Phillips gave up one hit, walked two and struck out four. He improved to 4-6 with the win. Phillips had a 3.86 ERA with 23 strikeouts in 21 innings over five appearances in August. His scoreless outing was his first scoreless appearance since July 8 against the Mariners, when he also tossed five scoreless innings. Phillips has a 3.43 ERA. He’s lined up to face the Cubs at home on Sunday.