(My Sportsbook) - Brian Banks' first homer of the season in the eighth inning lifted Florida to a 4-3 win over Arizona in the finale of a four-game series at Bank One Ballpark.

Juan Pierre and Luis Castillo each finished with two hits for the Marlins, who gained a split of the series.

Armando Almanza (3-0) tossed 1 1/3 innings of shutout relief for the victory.

Braden Looper worked a hitless ninth for his fifth save of the season.

Josh Beckett, the Marlins starter, allowed three runs and eight hits over 6 2/3 innings. He walked three and struck out seven.

Brad Penny gets the ball for the Marlins tonight, when they open up a three- game set against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Penny is 2-1 with a 4.11 ERA in five starts this season.

In his last outing, Penny pitched well, yielding just two earned runs and eight hits in six and two-thirds innings of a 7-6 setback to the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday. He walked one and struck out none in receiving a no decision.

Penny has made one career start against the Astros and in that game didn't get a decision, despite allowing eight runs on eight hits over five innings of work.

Castillo extended his hitting streak to 13 games on Thursday.

Juan Pierre stole his 11th base of the season Thursday and was thrown out in the first inning trying to steal another.