Josh Beckett pitched seven and two thirds strong innings and the Marlins roughed up Roy O for eleven hits over six innings as the Fish downed the Stros in the final game of their series at Pro Player Stadium, 6-2.
Beckett clearly had his game face on for his hometown team as he gave up only five hits and two runs, one of which was Lance Berkman‘s third yak of the series. The Stros made it interesting by loading the bases with two out in the eighth, but the marginally competent home plate umpire Lazaro Diaz rang Berkman up on an absurdly outside pitch from Benitez and the Stros were toast.
The Stros to to Cincinnati for a weekend series with the Reds before returning to the Juice Box next Tuesday for a two week stretch of games against the Cubs and the Cards. The NL Central race is about to heat up.