Astros at Marlins
It’s far too early to panic, but the Marlins have looked anything but comfortable in their new ballpark. Miami’s troubles continued Saturday when closer Heath Bell blew his second save in as many chances and the Astros rallied to win with four runs in the ninth inning. Players from both teams have grumbled about spacious Marlins Park, which has turned several apparent home runs into deep fly outs.
While Miami dropped to 3-6 with the loss, Houston is 4-4 and proving to be a scrappy team that makes the most of its opportunities. The Astros have limited power and an unproven starting rotation, but their .328 on-base percentage ranks eighth in the majors. J.D. Martinez, a Miami native, hit the first home run at Marlins Park on Friday. He also singled in the decisive ninth inning Saturday to extend his hitting streak to eight games.
TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, FS Houston, FS Florida
PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros LH J.A. Happ (1-0, 4.50 ERA) vs. Marlins RH Anibal Sanchez (1-0, 2.84 ERA)
Happ struck out five and walked one while giving up three runs on six hits over six innings in a win over the Braves last Monday. He has a career record of 26-24 with a 4.01 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP. Omar Infante is 2-for-16 (.125) with three strikeouts against Happ.
Sanchez, who is 3-1 with a 2.37 ERA in six career starts against Houston, allowed two runs on six hits against Philadelphia last Monday. In 2011, Sanchez set a career-high with 202 strikeouts and went 8-9 with a 3.67 ERA last season. In two previous career starts against Houston at home, he is 2-0 with no ERA over 14 innings.
WALK-OFFS:
1. The Astros are averaging 4.1 walks per game after averaging a National League-worst 2.5 last season.
2. Infante missed Saturday’s game with a sore left groin, but he’s hoping to return for Sunday’s series finale.
3. Miami acting manager Joey Cora is 1-3 during his five-game stint filling in for suspended manager Ozzie Guillen.