MIAMI (AP) — Jorge Soler, Luis Arraez and Josh Bell hit consecutive homers in the eighth inning and the Miami Marlins beat the Houston Astros 5-1 on Monday night.
Houston starter Framber Valdez (9-8) limited the Marlins to four hits and two runs – one earned – through 7 2/3 innings before Soler and Arraez connected with solo shots to make it 4-1 and end the left-hander’s outing.
Hector Neris relieved and allowed Bell’s blast over the wall in right. Bell extended his on base streak to 12 games since he joined the Marlins Aug. 2.
It was just the second time in franchise history — the first was in 1998 — the Marlins hit three consecutive home runs.
Marlins starter Braxton Garrett (7-3) threw five scoreless innings and was lifted after 75 pitches. The left-hander gave up four hits, walked two and struck out one.
Consecutive doubles from Nick Fortes and Jon Berti in the third gave Miami an early lead. Berti stole third and scored on catcher Martin Maldonado’s passed ball to make it 2-0.
The Astros narrowed the deficit on José Altuve’s RBI double in the seventh. Jeremy Péna hit a leadoff single off Jorge López and advanced on the reliever’s wild pitch. Tanner Scott relieved López after two outs and allowed Altuve’s shot to the left field wall.
Scott got the three outs in the eighth around two singles before David Robertson pitched the ninth.
Altuve finished with three hits and a walk. Earlier Monday, Altuve was named AL Player of the Week.
REACQUANTANCES
Miami’s Yuli Gurriel went hitless in three at-bats against his former team. The 39-year-old Gurriel spent the first seven seasons of his career with the Astros before signing a free agent deal with the Marlins this season.
ATTENDANCE DROP
After crowds exceeding 30,000 for each of the Marlins three homes against the New York Yankees over the weekend, the turnout for Monday’s series opener was 13,263.
ROSTER MOVE
The Marlins placed RHP Huascar Brazoban (left hamstring strain) on the 15-day injured list and recalled RHP Bryan Hoeing from Triple-A Jacksonville.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Astros: Peña was tended to by an Astros trainer when he landed hard after a diving stab of Gurriel’s hard grounder in the seventh. The shortstop stayed in the game. ... 1B José Abreu (lumbar spine inflammation) said before the game that if he continues progressing with his recovery, he targets a return during the club’s home series against Seattle this weekend.
Marlins: JT Chargois (right rib cage strain) threw a 25-pitch bullpen Sunday and is scheduled to throw another one on Tuesday.
UP NEXT
RHP Christian Javier (8-2, 4.36) will start the middle game of the series for the Astros on Tuesday. The Marlins will go with RHP Johnny Cueto (0-3, 5.33).
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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
