Alvarez, Paredes launch homers as Astros top Marlins 5-2

Power surge defines win

Houston Astros secured a 5-2 victory over the Miami Marlins at Daikin Park on Thursday, driven by a decisive eighth-inning offensive explosion. The win improved Houston's record to 50-54, while Miami fell to 52-51.

The game remained tightly contested through the middle innings, with the Marlins holding a narrow lead for much of the contest. Miami took an early 1-0 advantage in the second inning when Allen singled to right field, allowing Diaz to score and moving Spence to third base.

The Marlins extended their lead to 2-0 in the third inning when Peña homered to left field, a shot measuring 383 feet.

Houston responded in the fourth inning, erasing the deficit and taking the lead. Sanoja doubled to right field to drive in Conine, making the score 2-1. Mack followed with a single to left, scoring Sanoja and giving the Astros a 2-2 tie.

Decisive eighth inning

The game's outcome was determined in the eighth inning, where Houston's offense delivered a three-run burst. Alvarez homered to left-center field, a 394-foot shot that also scored Peña, pushing the Astros ahead 4-2. Paredes immediately followed with his own home run to left-center field, measuring 398 feet, to extend the lead to 5-2.

Pitching performances

Miami Marlins starter Sandy Alcantara took the loss, pitching seven innings. He allowed nine hits and five earned runs, while striking out three batters and issuing one walk. Alcantara's record dropped to 10-6. Calvin Faucher pitched the final inning for Miami, recording two strikeouts without allowing any hits or runs.

For Houston, Peter Lambert earned the win, pitching six innings. He allowed six hits and two earned runs, striking out three batters and walking two. Lambert improved his record to 3-1.

Enyel De Los Santos pitched one scoreless inning, striking out two batters. Steven Okert closed out the game with a perfect ninth inning, striking out zero batters but securing the save. Bryan Abreu pitched the final frame, recording one strikeout.

Game details

The final score of 5-2 reflected Houston's ability to capitalize in key moments. The attendance at Daikin Park was 26,099. The victory highlighted the Astros' offensive depth, particularly in the late innings, while the Marlins' pitching staff struggled to contain Houston's power hitters after the early innings.

Sources

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