KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- The Houston Astros are starting to see some positive results after a terrible start this spring.
Lance Berkman homered twice to help Houston beat the Florida Marlins 10-8 on Monday for its fourth consecutive victory. The Astros were 1-16 with three ties before the winning streak.
"Today was probably our best day swinging the bats," manager Cecil Cooper said.
Houston also entertained a special guest Monday when former President George H.W. Bush visited its spring facility. Bush signed autographs and chatted with players before the game.
Berkman hit a solo drive in the third inning and a two-run shot in the fifth. Kaz Matsui, who has struggled this spring, was 1-for-4 with a double and Michael Bourn had three hits and three RBI.
Miguel Tejada also had two hits for Houston, including a go-ahead RBI double in the seventh inning.
"Lance put some good swings up," Cooper said. "Lance had some great swings today. Every at-bat was good swings. It was good to see that. Kaz had some good swings today. Tejada had some good swings. They all did."
The Marlins scored four runs in the sixth to grab a 7-5 lead but the Astros pushed across four in the seventh to take the lead for good.
Mike Hampton, trying to put a series of injuries behind him in his return to Houston, allowed seven hits and three runs in five innings.
"It was a grind today," he said. "Nothing came easy. It seemed like one of those games where I had to grind for every out, but for the most part I felt pretty good. I'm missing locations on some pitches, of course. But for the most part everything felt fine."
Florida's Josh Johnson allowed eight hits and five runs in five innings in his worst outing of the spring. Taylor Tankersley also had a tough day, allowing four hits and four runs with a walk in a third of an inning.
Cody Ross and Chris Coghlan homered for the Marlins.
Bush, a close friend of Astros owner Drayton McLane, attends many early season home games and holds an annual lunch for McLane and select players.
"We love it," Bush said. "My only problem is we leave in the spring. We leave in May when we go to Maine for five months. So I miss a lot of the regular season, but I'll be there right behind the plate."
His wife Barbara, who recently underwent heart surgery, was unable to attend.
"She was going to come when we scheduled this several weeks ago before her surgery," McLane said. "It's a great asset to have him here."
