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HOU@FLA: Hanley crushes a two-run homer in the first

MIAMI -- When Hanley Ramirez moved into the cleanup spot, it didn't just boost the 27-year-old shortstop. It has also given the Marlins as a team a big lift.

Staying hot while hitting fourth, Ramirez had three hits, including a two-run homer, and three RBIs on Friday night as the Marlins defeated the Astros, 6-3, in front of 17,044 at Sun Life Stadium.

The Marlins have now won three straight for the first time since sweeping the Giants at AT&T Park May 24-26.

Since interim manager Jack McKeon placed Ramirez in the cleanup spot on June 21, the Marlins are 9-7.

McKeon moved Ramirez to the middle of the order in hopes of making the three-time All-Star happy. Based on his production, the shortstop appears to be delighted. Ramirez is now batting .400, with four homers and 18 RBIs since June 21.

"I don't know if I heard it or read it, but something along those lines, he said that's what made him happy," McKeon said. "So fine."

Along with the re-emergence of Ramirez, Marlins veteran right-hander Javier Vazquez (5-8) has also been rejuvenated as of late.

Since giving up seven runs in 3 2/3 innings to Arizona on June 11, Vazquez has been on an impressive roll. In his five starts since, Vazquez is 2-2 with a 1.19 ERA over 30 1/3 innings.

Leo Nunez polished off the final two outs of the ninth in relief of Burke Badenhop for his 24th save in 27 chances. Mike Stanton delivered two RBIs on a night the Marlins scored five runs off the Astros' right-hander Jordan Lyles (0-4).

Vazquez allowed two unearned runs on six hits with four strikeouts in seven innings.

After the Astros grabbed a first-inning lead, Ramirez pulled the Marlins even with a two-run homer to right-center in the first off Lyles.

Bryan Petersen walked to open the first, and with two outs, Ramirez connected on his eighth homer of the season.

In the third inning, a pair of two-out hits put the Marlins in front, 3-2. Gaby Sanchez doubled, and scored on Ramirez's RBI single to center.

One change Ramirez has made to the end of his swing, is having a prolonged follow-through. On hits that go into the outfield, Ramirez extends the bat with his left hand, holding it up high as he runs toward first base.

The "Hanley Through It," is what Ramirez calls it. Some may see it as showboating, but Ramirez says he isn't doing anything to show anybody up.

"That makes me stay through the ball," Ramirez said.

The "through it" style has already gained the approval of Philadelphia slugger Ryan Howard.

"Ryan Howard told me the other day, 'That's good, because you're not shortening your swing,'" Ramirez said.

Staying through the ball is something Ramirez is practicing with hitting coach Eduardo Perez.

"I always do that," Ramirez said. "That's one thing [Perez] told me, 'You've got to finish your swing up. When you finish with your swing up, that means you are swinging through the ball.' I just stay through it the whole time. I'm not trying to show anybody up. I'm trying to stay through the zone.

"Everybody has to find a way to do their job on the field. If you don't do your job, you're not going to be part of this team. You're going to be somewhere else. I'm just trying to do my job. I don't want to offend anybody."

The Marlins broke through with two more runs in the fifth inning, grabbing a 5-2 lead.

"I wasn't the same person out there tonight," said Lyles, who gave up five earned runs in six innings. "I don't know what it was. Overall, I didn't have my stuff, and I didn't make a pitch when I needed to. I had guys on base all day."

A key moment in the inning came when Logan Morrison worked the count full before drawing a bases-loaded walk.

"The thing that is satisfying is seeing the guys do the little things," McKeon said. "I was delighted with Morrison walking with the bases loaded. That's how you win ballgames. Normally, with 3-2, they're swinging no matter where the ball is at. He was very patient. I told him, that might have been the key run of game. It made it [4-2]. That's when you start playing winning baseball."

Stanton delivered a sacrifice fly to left field on a ball that he just missed swatting for a grand slam.

The Astros grabbed a two-run lead in the first inning, capitalizing on Michael Bourn's speed to get the inning going.

Shut out, 5-0, and limited to two hits on Thursday, the Astros had three-hits in a two-run first inning.

Vazquez actually had a hard-luck first frame, as he gave up a pair of unearned runs while allowing one hard hit ball.

Bourn beat out a slow grounder to shortstop for an infield single to open the game. With one out, Hunter Pence reached first when second baseman Omar Infante was charged with a throwing error while trying to get a forceout on Bourn at second.

Jeff Keppinger flared a two-out RBI single to center, and Brett Wallace followed with a run-scoring single to center.

Vazquez was able to settle down and get through seven innings on his way to his fifth win.

"I was just trying to forget what was happening," Vazquez said. "You kind of have to forget all that stuff, and just keep your team in the game."

Joe Frisaro is a reporter for MLB.com. He writes a blog, called The Fish Pond. Follow him on Twitter @JoeFrisaro. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.