Astros End Marlins Winning Streak

     The defending American League champion Houston Astros avoided a three-game series sweep with a 9-4 win over the Miami Marlins at Minute Maid Park on Sunday. The Marlins had their five-game winning streak snapped. The Fish continue their nine-game road trip on Monday in Philadelphia. 

     Houston(37-23) got a 1-0 lead in the opening frame. Michael Brantley grounded out to first for Jose Altuve to score. 

     The Astros made it 5-0 in the bottom of the fourth. Jeremy Pena smashed a two-run homer to left field on the first pitch with Yuli Gurriel aboard for his ninth home run of the season. Jose Siri scored on a force out to second by Brantley. Two batters later, Yordan Alvarez drove in Brantley with a base hit into center field. 

     Miami(27-31) stepped it up with four runs in the top of the seventh and trailed 5-4. Willians Astudillo reached base on a fielding error and Jorge Soler scored. Bryan De La Cruz later lined a three-run homer to left field on a 0-1 pitch. Astudillo and Fortes scored in front of him on the play. 

     In the eighth inning, Houston capped the contest with four runs. Altuve lifted a three-run home run to left field on a 2-2 pitch with Pena and Jason Castro aboard for his 12th homer of the year. Alvarez eventually knocked in Brantley on a sacrifice fly to center field.