Astros Fall To Marlins, 5-4
MIAMI (CBS4) – Once again the Florida Marlins used home turf advantage to take the Houston Astros at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens.
The Astros, which have baseball's worst record, staggered into the All-Star break by losing Sunday 5-4. The Astros were swept in a four-game series for the first time since May 2007.
"Enjoy your break, everybody," Houston outfielder Michael Bourn said. "We know we haven't been playing well. We needed this break. It's come at the right time because we need to clear our heads."
The Astros (30-62) have lost nine of 10, and 14 of 16 overall.
"We've been battling uphill all the time," manager Brad Mills said. "We have to find a way to stay on top once we get on top."
Houston had early leads of 2-0 and 3-1. But Mike Cameron hit a two-run homer in the fourth, when the Marlins scored four times off Wandy Rodriguez (6-6) and took the lead for good.
"I hung a few breaking balls," said Rodriguez, whose ERA rose to 3.52. "I need to make better (pitches) in the second half than I did the first half."
All-Star Hunter Pence hit his 11th homer, Carlos Corporan doubled twice and Brett Wallace had two hits and two RBIs. But scoring enough runs has been a problem all season for the Astros, who rank last in the NL in ERA.
"We have to find a way to keep those leads," Mills said.
Thanks to their comeback, the Marlins head into the break with a season-best five-game winning streak, all since the 38-year-old Cameron arrived via a trade with the Boston Red Sox.
Cameron batted only .149 in Boston and is 1 for 10 with Florida. But he grinned when asked if he has played a role in the winning streak.
"Maybe it's a little bit of karma - me being around so long and being enthusiastic with the guys and keeping them positive," he said. "It feels like home."
The erratic Marlins are only five games below .500 (43-48) despite a streak last month of 19 losses in 20 games. The four-game sweep was the first for Florida since May 2010 against the Mets.
Manager Jack McKeon said he was sorry about the timing of the All-Star break.
"I hate to see it show up, but that's the way it goes," he said. "We're going good, and everybody is in a great mental state. The train is moving north."
Emilio Bonifacio, a catalyst in Florida's recent surge, had three hits and extended his career-best hitting streak to 12 games. He stole three bases and scored twice.
All-Star Gaby Sanchez drove in two runs. Chris Volstad (5-8) allowed three runs in six innings, and Leo Nunez pitched a perfect ninth for his 25th save in 28 chances.
Rodriguez was nursing a two-run lead when Cameron homered. John Buck and Bonifacio kept the inning going with singles. Omar Infante's sacrifice fly put Florida ahead to stay, and Sanchez followed with a two-out RBI double.
Rodriguez departed after allowing five runs in 5 1-3 innings.
"That Mike Cameron home run took him out of his game a little bit," Corporan said.
Rodriguez walked five, and the Astros gave up 21 free passes in the series.
(©2011 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
