WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — The Houston Astros made it two straight wins Friday, rallying late before Collin Price delivered the decisive hit in a 5-4 walk-off victory over the Miami Marlins at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches. The win moves Houston to 3-7-3 this spring.
The Astros had to climb out of an early hole. Jason Alexander allowed two runs in the fourth inning before departing with Houston trailing, leaving the bullpen to keep the game within reach. Roddery Muñoz, Jayden Murray, Michael Knorr, Alimber Santa, and Sam Carlson combined to stabilize things before Anthony Maldonado worked the ninth.
Building the Comeback
Houston trailed 2-0 entering the fifth before the offense finally broke through. Walker Janek reached as a pinch-runner, and Nick Allen followed with a single to center that advanced him. Zach Cole then lined a single to right to score Janek and move Allen to third. After Isaac Paredes was hit by a pitch to load the bases, Christian Walker grounded into a double play that brought Allen home to tie the game.
Janek provided the Astros’ biggest swing of the afternoon in the sixth inning. With James Nelson aboard after entering as a pinch-runner, the young catcher launched a two-run homer to left-center to give Houston a 4-2 lead. It was Janek’s first home run of the spring.
Miami responded in the eighth to even the score. Jay Beshears doubled, Juan Matheus walked, and Starlyn Caba lifted a sacrifice fly to bring the Marlins back to 4-4.
Key Performances
Janek continued to strengthen his case with another productive day at the plate. The 23-year-old has consistently contributed in limited spring opportunities and now adds a home run to his growing list of highlights this camp.
Price delivered the final blow in the ninth. With German Ramirez on second and Pascanel Ferreras on third, the Astros infielder lined a single to right that scored Ferreras and ended the game.
Bigger Picture
The Astros have now won back-to-back games, and both required late comebacks. Houston’s offense is still searching for consistency—the Marlins jumped ahead early and the Astros didn’t fully break through until the middle innings—but the ability to rally late is a positive development for a team that struggled early in camp.
