​HOUSTON, TEXAS – JULY 22: Yordan Alvarez #44 of the Houston Astro looks on while running to first base after hitting a two run home run during the eighth inning against the Miami Marlins at Daikin Park on July 22, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Houston Astros/Getty Images) | Getty Images Most casual observers felt the Astros would register their 50th win of the season well in advance of the All-Star Break.  Unfortunately, it took until July 22nd.   Better late than never.  Astros 5   Marlins 2.   Although Yordan Alvarez’s two run blast will command the majority of headlines, the question remains, where would the Astros be without Peter Lambert?     Returning on just four days’ rest, Lambert would scatter six hits over the span of six innings, allowing just two runs in authoring another quality start, putting the Astros in position to win.    Wednesday night’s 89 pitch effort came on the heels of a 10 strike out performance in the opener of the O’s series last Friday.     The night’s scoring would begin in the bottom of the second.   Yainer Diaz would lead off with a four-pitch walk, eventually coming around to score the game’s first run on a Nick Allen single.    The next frame, Houston would increase their lead 2-0 on the strength of Jeremy Pena’s solo shot.    For Pena it was a hat trick of sorts, as Pena homered in each of the three contests vs. Miami in a 72-hour span.   In the fourth inning, the Marlins would tie things up thanks to a pair of two out hits from Javier Sanoja and Joe Mack.    The next time they’d threaten would be in the 7th when Esteury Ruiz would reach on a single and then proceed to steal second and third base.    Miami leads the majors with 21 successful steals of third this season. Ruiz would ultimately be stranded.    In the bottom of the eighth, lightning would strike.   Jeremy Pena would reach for the third time and be driven home on Yordan’s 34th blast of the season.    Isaac Paredes followed that up for good measure, making the score 5-2 with a solo shot.    Paredes now has 14 home runs on the season.    For the Miami series, the Astros would register 8 home runs.    Bryan Abreu would come on in the 9th to close the door earning his 6th save of the season.    Odds & Ends:Lucas Spence was caught attempting to steal home in the bottom of the second.    Spence will next make a homecoming of sorts at Rate Field on Chicago’s Southside Friday Night.    Spence grew up in nearby south suburb, Chicago Heights.    Jose Altuve sat out Wednesday night with a rest day.   After posting a mark of 20-6 in June, the Marlins have now dropped nine in a row.