The Marlins topped the Astros 6-3 on Fiesta Friday at Sun Life Stadium, winning their third straight for the first time since their sweep of the Giants in May.
Javier Vazquez was excellent through seven innings in which he didn't allow an earned run. In the first inning, however, Omar Infante allowed a couple. With one on and one out, Hunter Pence reached thanks to Infante's throwing error on a force attempt. After Javy recorded out number two, back-to-back singles by Jeff Keppinger and Brett Wallace put two on the board.
The Fish would strike back in the bottom of the inning, as Hanley tried to make up for their defensive shortcomings. After Bryan Petersen worked a leadoff walk, Hanley went deep for the eighth time this season to tie up the ball game, and get his 3-for-3, 3-RBI night rolling.
Jordan Lyles would last just six innings, as he gave up five total runs to the Marlins. In the third, they added a run on a two-out RBI single by Hanley, which plated Gaby Sanchez, who had doubled. The Fish went on to pad their lead in the fifth. With two on and one out, Hanley singled to load up the bases, and Lyles walked Logan Morrison to bring in a run. Mike Stanton added a sac fly to put the Fish up, 5-2.
Stanton would drive in another run in the seventh against Fernando Rodriguez. Gaby singled, Hanley walked, and Mike added a single to make it 6-2.
Burke Badenhop took over on the mound in the eighth and worked a scoreless inning before allowing a run in the ninth. Brett Wallace doubled to lead off the inning, and Carlos Corporan's one-out single brought the Astros within three. Leo Nunez was called on to log the final two outs of the game, and the Marlins took their third straight.
This winning business has its charms.