Astros rally late with back-to-back homers to beat Marlins 5-2

Late surge secures victory

Alex Alvarez and Joey Paredes provided the decisive offensive punch as the Houston Astros defeated the Miami Marlins, 5-2, at Daikin Park. The back-to-back home runs in the eighth inning broke a tie and propelled Houston to its 51st win of the season, improving its record to 50-54. Miami dropped to 52-51.

Marlins take early lead

The Marlins struck first in the second inning. Ismael Diaz singled to right field, allowing Adam Allen to score and move Spencer to third base. The run gave Miami a 1-0 advantage that held until the third inning.

In the third, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. doubled to right field, driving in Adam Conine to tie the game at 2-2. The Marlins regained the lead in the fourth when Alejandro Kirk singled to left, scoring Gurriel. The score stood at 2-1 in favor of Miami heading into the middle innings.

Pitching duel through six

Sandy Alcantara started for Miami, pitching seven innings. He allowed five earned runs on nine hits, including the two home runs that ultimately decided the game. Alcantara walked one batter and struck out three, taking the loss to fall to 10-6 on the season.

On the mound for Houston, Peter Lambert threw six innings, giving up two earned runs on six hits. He walked two batters and struck out three. Enyel De Los Santos entered in relief, pitching one scoreless inning with two strikeouts. Steven Okert also pitched a scoreless eighth inning for the win, improving his record to 3-1.

Alvarez, Paredes break tie

The game remained tied at 2-2 until the eighth inning. Alvarez launched a 394-foot home run to left center, scoring Lourdes Gurriel Jr. to put Houston ahead 4-2. Immediately following, Joey Paredes hit a 398-foot home run to left center, extending the lead to 5-2.

Calvin Faucher closed out the ninth inning for Miami, pitching one hitless inning with two strikeouts. Bryan Abreu secured the save for Houston, pitching a perfect ninth with one strikeout. The final attendance was 26,099.

Sources

https://www.espn.com/mlb/game/_/gameId/401816224