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Bruntlett's four RBI help Astros rally past Marlins

Aug 4, 2007 - 4:02 AM MIAMI (Ticker) -- Eric Bruntlett made sure Dontrelle Willis continued his losing ways.

Bruntlett hit a key two-run double and drove in four runs as the Houston Astros rallied to defeat the Florida Marlins, 8-2, on Friday.

Roy Oswalt pitched six superb innings and Chris Burke hit a two-run homer for Houston, which has won two straight following a three-game losing streak.

"I was trying to go right at them," Oswalt said. "I was trying to get my fastball established early."

Florida fell to 24-32 at Dolphin Stadium, the worst home record in the majors.

"We had a tough game tonight, but you've got to tip your hat (to the Astros)," Willis said. "I feel I threw the ball very well tonight, but Oswalt did the same so it was two good starters. But, as far as the outcome, it's unfortunate because we were in the game the whole time."

Willis carried a three-hitter and a 1-0 lead through six innings before allowing a single to Carlos Lee and a double to Ty Wigginton to put runners on second and third with no outs. After striking out Jason Lane, Willis gave up a two-base hit into the left field corner by Bruntlett to put the Astros in front, 2-1.

"It feels good, it feels like you are contributing," Bruntlett said.

Following a 30-minute rain delay, and with Bruntlett still on second, pinch hitter Orlando Palmeiro hit a run-scoring single to right field off Marlins reliever Matt Lindstrom to give Houston a two-run advantage.

"When you make a decision to take that caliber of pitcher out (Oswalt), you want something to happen right there and I'm glad it worked out," Palmeiro said.

Willis (7-11) has lost a career-high eight straight decisions and has not won a game since he beat the Chicago Cubs on May 29 - a span of 12 starts. The lefthander allowed three runs, six hits and a walk in 6 1/3 innings.

"(Willis) pitched good," Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "Man oh man, he was nails. It's unfortunate he got hooked up with Oswalt. We had a lead, but we just couldn't do it. But, I'm pleased with his performance. He was outstanding."

Oswalt (11-6) allowed one run, four hits and a walk to win his third straight game. The All-Star righthander, who struck out five, has allowed just three runs in his last four starts, all Astros wins. He lowered his ERA to 3.55.

"Roy pitched very well," Astros manager Phil Gardner said. "He kept us in the ballgame and gives us a chance that we might be able to do something."

Oswalt's only real mistake came in the fourth inning when he served up a 2-1 fastball to Jeremy Hermida, who belted it over the right-center field wall to give Florida a 1-0 lead. It was Hermida's 10th homer this season.

Houston tacked on three runs in the eighth on a bases loaded walk by Lane followed by a two-run double down the left field line by Bruntlett off reliever Justin Miller to make it 6-2.

"Obviously it is a great feeling when you are getting RBIs like that because that means you are coming up with big hits that mean a lot in the game," Bruntlett said."

Burke smacked a two-run homer in the ninth off Carlos Martinez to end the scoring.

Todd Linden hit a pinch-hit RBI single in the eighth and Hanley Ramirez had three hits for Florida, which has lost nine of 11.