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Imai strikes out eight as Astros rally past Marlins 5-3

Tatsuya Imai earned his sixth win with eight strikeouts, while Peña and Paredes homered to help Houston defeat Miami 5-3 at Daikin Park.

Tessa Ortiz

July 22, 20262 min read

Astros victory celebration - illustration, Jake Team LLC
Astros victory celebration - illustration, Jake Team LLC
MLBFinal
Miami Marlins3
Houston Astros5

July 22, 2026

Turning Point in the Fifth

The game’s momentum shifted decisively in the fifth inning when Paredes launched a three-run home run to left field, measuring 388 feet. The blast extended Houston’s lead to 5-1, effectively securing the outcome after Stowers had already scored on a double earlier in the frame.

Prior to that sequence, the Marlins had held a 2-1 advantage thanks to Wade Jr.’s run in the second inning and Lopez’s score in the fifth.

Imai’s Dominant Start

Houston starter Tatsuya Imai delivered a masterful performance, pitching six innings and striking out eight batters while allowing just one earned run on four hits. He walked three but kept the Marlins’ offense in check until the fifth inning. Imai earned the win, improving his record to 6-4.

He was supported by a bullpen that closed out the final three innings. AJ Blubaugh pitched one scoreless inning with three strikeouts, followed by Bennett Sousa, who recorded his first save with a perfect frame. Josh Hader finished the game with his 11th save, retiring the side in order.

Marlins’ Early Lead and Late Rally

Miami took an early 1-0 lead in the first inning when Peña homered to left-center field, a distance of 405 feet. An umpire review overturned the initial call, but the home run stood. The Marlins extended their lead to 2-0 in the second when Spence doubled to right field, driving in Wade Jr. while Walker advanced to third.

The score remained 2-1 after the fifth inning’s first half, when Stowers doubled to center and Lopez scored.

The Marlins mounted a late rally in the seventh inning. Mack homered to right-center field, a 435-foot shot, and Sanoja scored, cutting the deficit to 5-3. Despite the effort, the Marlins could not overcome the fifth-inning surge.

Tyler Phillips took the loss, pitching 4.1 innings and allowing five hits and two earned runs. He also walked one and struck out two. Tyler Zuber pitched 0.2 innings, giving up two earned runs on one hit.

Ryan Gusto and Zach Brzykcy pitched the remaining innings without allowing additional runs.

Final Score and Records

The final score was Houston Astros 5, Miami Marlins 3. The game was played at Daikin Park in Houston, Texas, with an attendance of 28,748. The victory improved the Astros’ record to 49-54. The loss dropped the Marlins’ record to 52-50.

Sources

https://www.espn.com/mlb/game/_/gameId/401816209

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Tessa Ortiz

Tessa Ortiz covers Nocatee high school and area college sports.

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