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Florida 4, Houston 3 (12 innings)

MIAMI, April 23 (UPI) -- Alex Gonzalez hit a solo homer in the eighth inning off reliever Octavio Dotel to tie the game and delivered the winning bloop single over a drawn-in infield in the 12th inning Tuesday night as the Florida Marlins posted a 4-3 victory over the Houston Astros.

After botching a squeeze play with a runner on third and one out in the 11th inning, the Marlins had another opportunity in the 12th when Astros center fielder Lance Berkman misjudged a liner by Luis Castillo with one out. Berkman raced to his left and appeared to be tracking down the drive by Castillo, but the ball ended up sailing over his head for a triple.

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With the infield in, Gonzalez hit a 3-2 pitch by rookie Brandon Puffer (0-1) over the head of second baseman Craig Biggio, who helplessly lunged for the ball as it landed on the outfield grass.

Vladimir Nunez (3-0) pitched three scoreless innings to earn the win.

Josh Beckett started for Florida and struck out a career-high 11 in seven innings, but was victimized for three unearned runs.

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