Sandy Alcantara was one of the key prospects the Miami Marlins acquired in their offseason overhaul Youth Da'Ron Payne Jersey , and he showed plenty of promise in his first career start.

The 22-year old right-hander made his much-anticipated Marlins debut and allowed just one run over five innings as the Miami Marlins defeated the New York Mets 8-2 on Friday night.

”It feels really good,” Alcantara said. ”I’m super excited.”

Alcantara (1-0) struck out two and gave up five walks and three hits.

”A little bit wild, a little bit of trouble with the strike zone, but being able to get through five – he’s still a work in progress,” Marlins manager Don Mattingly said.

The 22-year old right-hander was the top prospect acquired in the offseason trade that sent Marcell Ozuna to the St. Louis Cardinals. Alcantara made eight relief appearances for the Cardinals last season.

”(Alcantara) has a very promising future,” Mets manager Mickey Callaway said.

JT Riddle hit a three-run homer and Lewis Brinson, who had three hits, also homered in a pivotal six-run third inning.

”JT able to hit that just kind of breaks it open from there and we’re in pretty good shape,” Mattingly said

Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto returned to the lineup after missing four games with a hand injury. Realmuto went 1 of 4 with an RBI and also picked off a runner at second base.

”It’s one of the reasons why he’s the best catcher in all of baseball,” Riddle said of Realmuto’s pickoff. ”To do stuff like that, a lot of people don’t do that and for a catcher to be able to do that defensively plus the way he swings the bat, it’s very good.”

New York’s Corey Oswalt (0-1) started in place of Jacob deGrom, who was scratched hours before the game to deal with a family matter. The Mets expect deGrom to start Saturday afternoon.

Oswalt looked nothing like deGrom, whose 1.69 ERA is the best in the majors. Oswalt allowed six hits and six runs in just 2 2/3 innings. All six of the runs Oswalt allowed came in the third inning.

”It didn’t change anything Youth Derrius Guice Jersey ,” Oswalt said of the late notice. ”I went out there and tried to attack the zone. I just didn’t make enough pitches today.”

Brinson led off the third with his 10th home run of the season. Realmuto and Starlin Castro followed with run-scoring singles before Riddle’s three-run blast to right field gave the Marlins a 6-0 lead.

Devin Mesoraco had an RBI double for the Mets, who have lost nine of 10.

”We weren’t really in this game tonight,” Callaway said.

Cameron Maybin knocked in Brinson in the sixth to give the Marlins a 7-1 lead.

BRINSON A TRIPLE SHY OF CYCLE

Brinson recorded a single, double, and home run for his third game this month with at least three hits. He grounded into a double play in his fourth at-bat to foil his attempt for the cycle.

BAUTISTA AND FLORES MAKE IT 14 STRAIGHT

New York’s Jose Bautista and Wilmer Flores each reached base each extending their streaks to 14 games.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Mets: LHP Jason Vargas (calf) is expected to rejoin the rotation next week. … OF Yoenis Cespedes (hip) remained in Port St. Lucie, Florida, rather than joining the team for this series. Cespedes will continue to receive treatment and physical therapy.

Marlins: LHP Caleb Smith (lat) will have season-ending surgery. Smith finishes his rookie season with a 5-6 record and 4.19 ERA with 88 strikeouts.

UP NEXT

Mets: RHP Jacob deGrom (5-3, 1.69 ERA) is expected to return to the team and start the second game of the series.

Marlins: RHP Pablo Lopez is slated to make his MLB debut.

Not only was it Canada Day with ”The Big Maple”, Canadian James Paxton on the mound for the Mariners‘ 1-0 victory over the Royals, it also was Paxton Bobblehead Day at Safeco Field.

This bobblehead included a bald eagle on his shoulder, a crazy moment that actually happened while working out in the outfield before a game this season in Minnesota. The video went viral.

Paxton allowed only two hits and struck out 11 in eight innings to lead the Mariners to their season-best seventh consecutive victory.

”Paxton enjoyed the moment,” Seattle manager Scott Servais said. ”It was National Pax Day. A holiday in Canada, the bobblehead and the fans were really into it.”

Paxton (8-2) had plenty of family and friends at the game from his hometown of Ladner, British Columbia.

”It was cool to pitch on Canada Day and have the bobblehead Youth Nyheim Hines Jersey ,” Paxton said. ”It felt good today. The fastball, curveball and cutter all were working.”

Edwin Diaz struck out the side in the ninth for his 32nd save. The Mariners are 26-11 in one-run games this season and 22-0 when Diaz enters the game with a one-run lead.

”As far as being valuable to our team, he has to be the top of the list,” Servais said about Diaz. ”He isn’t just getting it done, it’s also the efficiency of how he’s getting it done. When his timing is right, he’s really tough to hit.”

Kansas City rookie Brad Keller (2-3) also was tough to hit. He allowed six hits in eight innings. The only extra-base hit he allowed was a double by Kyle Seager in the seventh inning.

”He’s doing everything you want a starting pitcher to do,” Royals manager Ned Yost said. ”Complete game. He was fantastic. He’s out there attacking with his fastball, slider, throwing strikes and really commanding his pitch count.”

It was the first complete game of Keller’s career.

”After the game a few guys came up and said congratulations,” Keller said. ”I’ve never had one before and it’s pretty cool, but it’s frustrating (taking the loss). That’s tough lineup. A lot of good hitters over there. I tried to stay on the attack and not fall behind too much.”

The only run came in the second inning. Ben Gamel dropped a broken-bat single into shallow center to score Seager from second base. Seager singled to right before Ryon Healy singled to center.

That’s all Paxton needed, recording double-figure strikeouts for the seventh time this season. On his 110th pitch, his last of the game to close out the top of the eighth, his fastball was clocked at 99 mph.

”Late in the game he just dialed it up Youth Justin Bethel Jersey ,” Servais said. ”Pax emptied the tank and let it rip. He had an overpowering fastball at the end. It’s pretty rare. There are only five to 10 guys in baseball who can do that and we’re lucky to have one of them.”

TRAINER’S ROOM

Royals: RHP Ian Kennedy, who experienced tightness on his left side during his start Friday, had his normal throwing day in the bullpen Sunday, but Kansas City manager Ned Yost did not say whether Kennedy would make his next scheduled start. Yost said RF Jorge Soler (fractured toe and placed in the 10-day DL June 17) is still on a six-weeks-or-so recovery, so it’s likely another four weeks before he would return.

Mariners: Manager Scott Servais said they will monitor RHP Felix Hernandez and his back stiffness over the next few days. Hernandez pitched five innings Saturday night and earned the victory (three runs and six hits) but struggled with back pain and wasn’t able to sit down in the dugout between innings. ”We’ll keep an eye on it,” Servais said. ”We have the off day (Monday) so he’ll get an extra-day off between starts.” … Servais said he was hopeful RHP Hisashi Iwakuma, who underwent shoulder surgery last September, would be back by now, but Iwakuma’s throwing was shut down again last week. ”He’s frustrated by that,” Servais said. ”The doctors still are optimistic he’ll get back (this season) but I don’t have any timetable for it.”

UP NEXT

Royals: RHP Jakob Junis (5-9, 4.67) will make his 17th starts of the season Monday when the Royals return home to start a three-game series with Cleveland. Junis has allowed a major league-high 22 home runs over 96.1 innings.

Mariners: LHP Wade LeBlanc (3-0, 3.38) will make his 12th starts of the season Tuesday when Seattle starts a three-game series at home against the Angels. LeBlanc hasn’t lost a decision in his 11 starts and the Mariners are 8-3 in those games.