MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (Interstat) — For eight innings Tuesday night, Sandy Alcantara authored a masterclass in pitching, muzzling the Cincinnati Reds and positioning the Miami Marlins for a series-tying victory. In a stunning and swift reversal, the Reds erupted for six runs across the final two frames, turning a pitcher’s duel into a 6-3, 10-inning triumph at loanDepot Park.

The most important part of the game unfolded in the top of the 10th inning, where the Reds’ offense, dormant for most of the night, broke the game open with a decisive four-run rally. Facing reliever Calvin Faucher, Tyler Stephenson walked and, after a strikeout, Nathaniel Lowe delivered a sharp RBI single to center, scoring the automatic runner to give Cincinnati its first lead at 4-3. After another walk loaded the bases, Matt McLain, who had doubled in the ninth to spark the initial comeback, laced a two-run double down the left-field line. A groundout brought home another run, completing the outburst and handing Faucher the loss.

The late offensive explosion spoiled a brilliant start by Miami’s Alcantara, who dominated over 8 1/3 innings. He allowed just three hits and two earned runs while striking out six, exiting with a 2-1 lead after allowing a double to McLain in the ninth. The Reds promptly tied it against the Marlins’ bullpen on a sacrifice fly by Sal Stewart.

Cincinnati’s own starter, Andrew Abbott, was solid in a no-decision, yielding two runs on six hits over 5 1/3 innings. The Marlins struck first in the fourth when Agustín Ramírez led off with a double, advanced on a bunt single by Jakob Marsee and scored on a groundout by Otto Lopez. Another groundout by Heriberto Hernández brought Marsee home for a 2-0 lead.

That score held until the ninth, as Alcantara and a quartet of Reds relievers — Jose Franco, Pierce Johnson, Graham Ashcraft and winning pitcher Emilio Pagán — kept the game within reach. Franco was particularly sharp with two perfect innings and two strikeouts. Pagán earned the win with a scoreless ninth, striking out two.

In the Miami half of the 10th, the Marlins plated one run on an RBI fielder’s choice by pinch-hitter Graham Pauley, but Connor Norby grounded into a game-ending double play.

The victory improved the Reds to 8-3, while the Marlins fell to 6-5. Attendance was 8,318. The game time was 3 hours, 2 minutes.

The two teams will meet again Wednesday to conclude the three-game series.