WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Shay Whitcomb broke a scoreless tie with an eighth-inning RBI double, and a group of Houston relievers combined to hold the Miami Marlins off the board as the Houston Astros secured a 1–0 win Sunday at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches.
Cristian Javier made the start and looked sharp in his first outing since returning from a brief personal absence. The right-hander worked four shutout innings, allowing two hits and one walk while striking out five on 56 pitches, 38 of them strikes.
Javier’s command was crisp and his delivery appeared more settled than earlier in camp, offering a promising sign as the Astros evaluate the back end of their starting rotation.
The game remained scoreless through seven innings before Houston finally broke through in the eighth. Brice Matthews reached on a throwing error, quickly stole second, and scored when Whitcomb lined a double into left field to give the Astros a 1–0 lead.
That run proved to be enough.
Right-hander AJ Blubaugh took over in the eighth and finished the game with two scoreless innings, striking out three while earning the win.
Bryan Abreu, Steven Okert, and Bryan King each contributed a clean inning in relief earlier in the game as manager Joe Espada cycled through several bullpen options. Abreu was particularly efficient, retiring the side on just 11 pitches.
The automated ball-strike system also made its presence felt. Two challenges during the game both resulted in calls being overturned against Miami hitters, including pitches faced by Yainer Diaz and Liam Hicks.
Whitcomb, who recently returned to Astros camp after representing Team Korea in the World Baseball Classic, made an immediate impact with the game’s decisive hit.