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by **DieHardCubbie** » Mon Aug 04, 2003 12:22 am

Fernandez wins in first start of season

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MIAMI (AP) -- If Jared Fernandez threw his knuckleball on the Florida Turnpike, every car would pass it.

But his 56-mph pitches were enough to frustrate the Florida Marlins early, and a 98-mph fastball from Billy Wagner finished them off, giving the Houston Astros a 3-1 victory Sunday.

Fernandez made a successful debut for Houston, combining with Wagner and two other hard-throwing relievers on a five-hitter. Fernandez, recalled Friday from Triple-A New Orleans, allowed one run and three hits in 5 1-3 innings.

"You don't know how things are going to work out," Houston manager Jimy Williams said. "The Marlins are a great team with tremendous speed and power, and they're playing about as well as anybody in the National League."

The Marlins went 7-2 on a homestand that has propelled them into the NL wild-card race, but they lost two of three games to Houston. The Astros won five of six in the season series.

"We don't have to face them anymore," Marlins manager Jack McKeon said, "except in the playoffs."