MIAMI, July 7 (UPI) -- Brad Hand earned his first major league win by combining with two relievers on a two-hitter Thursday, carrying the Florida Marlins to a 5-0 win over Houston.
Hand (1-3), the latest pitcher to be given a chance to grab a spot in the Florida rotation, made his fifth start. He allowed singles in the fifth and sixth innings, walked three and struck out four over seven frames.
The Marlins have won back-to-back games and will try for their first three-game winning streak in 48 days Friday. Florida had only five victories in June, but has already posted four wins in July.
Mike Stanton gave Florida the lead with a two-run homer in the second. Logan Morrison doubled in two runs in the fifth and Omar Infante had an RBI single in the sixth.
The loss went to J.A. Happ (3-11), who gave up five runs on five hits in 5 2/3 innings. He walked seven and struck out eight.
Houston is one setback away from becoming the first team in the majors with 60 losses this season.
