Astros Blitz Marlins

     The Houston Astros piled on five runs in the first inning as they rolled over the Miami Marlins 12-5 at loanDepot park on Wednesday night. The Astros were able to win two contests of the three-game series. The Marlins have off on Thursday and play in Los Angeles against the Dodgers on Friday. Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander is now 103-0 when his team has a five-run lead in a game. 

     Houston(70-52) rumbled out to a 5-0 lead in the top of the first against Marlins starting pitcher Jesus Luzardo. Alex Bergman smacked a solo home run barely over the left-center field wall on the first pitch for his 19th homer of the 2023 campaign. Kyle Tucker followed with a solo homer to right field on a 2-2 count for his 24th home run this season. Three batters later, Chas McCormick powered a two-run homer to center field on a 2-1 pitch with Yordan Alvarez aboard. It was McCormick's 17th home run of the year. 

     Miami(63-59) answered back with two runs in the bottom of the first and trailed 5-2. Jake Burger doubled into the left-center field alley to score Luis Arraez and Josh Bell.

     The Astros expanded their lead to 6-2 in the top of the third. Jeremy Pena knocked in Alvarez with a base hit into right field. 

     The Marlins put up two runs in the fourth inning and were down 6-4. Jon Berti grounded into a force out. A wild throw by Pena caused Burger and Jesus Sanchez to score on the play. The Fish got another run in the next inning. 

     In the seventh inning, Houston ripped out six more runs for a 12-5 advantage.  Mauricio Dubon hit a sacrifice fly to right and McCormick dove home. Two baters later, Jose Altuve walked with the bases loaded and Jon Singleton touched home. Bergman came up next and drove in Pena and Martin Maldonado with a double down the right-field line. Tucker then singled through the left side to bring in Altuve and Bregman.