Astros 2, Marlins 1
Hunter Pence’s solo homer in the eighth proved to be the difference as the Houston Astros edged the Florida Marlins 2-1 on Sunday.
Michael Bourn added two hits, stole a base and scored a run for the Astros, who avoided a sweep of the three-game series.
Knotted at 1-1, Jose Veras (2-1) came on in relief and retired Angel Sanchez on a deep fly to right-center. Pence followed with a long fly of his own, this time clearing the fence in left-center for his 19th blast of the season and a 2-1 lead.
Wilton Lopez (5-0) worked two scoreless innings for the win and Brandon Lyon pitched the ninth for his sixth save.
Houston took the early lead in the third when Pence’s sacrifice fly off Andrew Miller scored Michael Bourn from third. The Marlins got that run back in the sixth when Gaby Sanchez ended Nelson Figueroa’s shutout bid with a solo homer to left-center, his 14th of the season.
Miller, who was making his first start of the 2010 campaign, allowed just three hits and one run while walking three and striking out three.