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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME LOG
MIAMI (AP) -- Close games have become routine wins for the
Florida Marlins.
The Marlins earned their 24th one-run victory, most in the major
leagues, by beating the Houston Astros 4-3 Thursday.
Dave Berg drove in the winning run with a sacrifice fly in the
eighth inning to cap the Marlins' 31st comeback win. They're 24-15
in one-run games.
"After a while you get used to it," manager John Boles said.
"I have no nerves or stomach left at this point."
While the surprising Marlins thrive in close games,
injury-plagued Houston has been awful. The team with baseball's
worst record is 5-21 in one-run games, including losses to Florida
the past two days.
"Even as depleted as we are and being on the road -- maybe I'm
missing something -- but I think we should beat that team over
there," Astros manager Larry Dierker said.
One reason for the Marlins' success in close games is their
bullpen, which has an ERA of 3.82, lowest in the National League.
Boles went to his relievers after six innings Thursday with the
score 3-3, and Braden Looper (4-1) and Antonio Alfonseca shut out
Houston the rest of the way.
Derrek Lee started Florida's winning rally with a single in the
eighth. He took third on Andy Fox's third single of the game, and
followed with a fly to deep center against Joe Slusarski (1-6).
"That's all I was trying to do," said Berg, who knew his fly
wouldn't make it to the wall. "I'm not going to hit a homer all
year."
Looper pitched around two errors in the eighth. Alfonseca
followed with a perfect ninth for his 32nd save in 35 chances, most
in the major leagues.
"We've got the ingredients to win close games," Boles said.
"It's a tremendous credit to the bullpen."
Florida improved to 8-1 in games tied after seven innings.
"It's refreshing because we've got a bunch of young guys
learning how to win in the big leagues," said Fox, who went
3-for-3 with two dazzling defensive plays in the infield. "The
more tight games you play, the more confident you're going to
get."
Moises Alou hit a two-run homer, his 17th, to briefly give
Houston a 3-2 lead in the sixth.
"I knew we needed more than that," Alou said. "The Marlins
are a team that shows a lot of courage. They kept coming back on us
all series. Their record shows they're better than us."
Henry Rodriguez, acquired in a trade Monday, went 0-for-4 in his
first start for Florida.
The Astros scored in the second on singles by Alou and Lance
Berkman, a walk to Chris Truby and Raul Chavez's sacrifice fly.
Florida scored twice in the fourth to take the lead. Preston
Wilson walked, stole second and scored on Fox's single. Fox stole
second and came home on Dave Berg's single.
The Marlins made it 3-all in the bottom of the sixth with three
consecutive singles and Mike Redmond's sacrifice fly.
Back-to-back Florida errors gave the Astros a chance to take the
lead in the eighth but, with runners at first and second, Alou
lined into an inning-ending double play.
Houston's Brian Powell, making his first appearance in the
majors since September 1998 for Detroit, allowed nine hits and
three runs in six innings. Powell was recalled from Triple-A New
Orleans after right-hander Shane Reynolds went on the disabled
list.
Florida starter Jesus Sanchez allowed six hits and three runs in
six innings.
The Astros, who lost second baseman Craig Biggio to a
season-ending knee injury Monday, returned home following a 5-5
trip.
"Everybody looks tired," Dierker said. "I hope it's not the
fact Biggio isn't in there. The guys are feeling lost because we've
got a long way to go."
Game notes
Marlins third baseman Mike Lowell sat out with a swollen
left elbow after being hit by a pitch Wednesday. His status is
day-to-day. ... The Marlins sent LHP Ron Mahay to Triple-A Calgary.
... Powell singled in the second for his first major league hit.
... The Astros have grounded into 108 double plays, most in the NL.
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Baseball Scoreboard
Houston Clubhouse
Florida Clubhouse
RECAPS
NY Yankees 3
Kansas City 2
Toronto 3
Texas 1
Cleveland 5
Tampa Bay 1
Florida 4
Houston 3
San Diego 6
Chicago Cubs 5
Arizona 8
Atlanta 4
San Francisco 10
Pittsburgh 2
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