Gurriel, Fisher HRs back Fiers vs. Miami
JUPITER, Fla. -- Solo home runs from Yuli Gurriel and Derek Fisher propelled the Astros to a 2-1 win over the Marlins on Tuesday afternoon at Roger Dean Stadium.
Mike Fiers, who dealt with a mild right hamstring strain earlier in camp, made his first start since March 5. The Astros' right-hander, competing for the fifth rotation spot, threw four scoreless innings, striking out five.
"I've got to do my job when he calls my name," Fiers said. "Obviously, I think pitching well helps. I think health is the best thing and the pitch count getting up to 80 pitches, 90 pitches come April 3. I feel like we're on the right track, that everyone is on the right track. Just ready to go."
Marlins lefty Wei-Yin Chen threw five innings, allowing three hits -- including the two solo home runs -- while striking out six. Chen exited after 58 pitches, with 40 strikes.
Chen retired the first six he faced before Fisher led off the third inning with a home run to right-center, his first dinger of the spring.
"He was pretty good today," Marlins manager Don Mattingly said. "I liked it. Obviously, he gave up a couple of solo home runs, but I thought as the game went on, he was still strong."
The Astros struck again off Chen in the fourth inning on Gurriel's two-out solo homer to left. The first baseman added a double in the seventh inning off A.J. Ramos.
In the fifth inning, the Marlins got on the board on Giovanny Alfonzo's RBI single, which scored Ryan Jackson, who tripled.
Ichiro Suzuki had a double in three at-bats for Miami.
• Trio of key Marlins relievers work back end
Astros Up Next:Dallas Keuchel makes his third start of the spring when the Astros face the Twins at 12:05 p.m. CT Wednesday at Ballpark of the Palm Beaches (live on MLB.TV). Keuchel hasn't allowed a run in seven innings over two outings this spring.
Marlins Up Next:Scott Copeland, who has thrown six straight scoreless innings in his previous two starts, will take the mound for Miami on Wednesday against the Mets in Port St. Lucie (live on MLB.TV). The right-hander goes up against Mets lefty Steven Matz in the 1:10 p.m. ET start. J.T. Realmuto, Adeiny Hechavarría, Justin Bour, Derek Dietrich and Marcell Ozuna are among the regulars making the trip.
Watch every out-of-market regular-season game live on MLB.TV.