Recap for ST?: Astros v. Braves

What Happened?
The Astros got 16 hits - four for extra-bases - in an 8-5 win over the Braves.

Why They Won
The 6-run 4th inning had a whole lot to do with it, with back-to-back homers by Pence and Carlos Lee (Lee's first of the year, and Pence's first since the two-HR-in-one-inning game to open the Spring). Errors by McCann and Linares led to three unearned runs for the Astros (all three in those homers).

Astros pitching
Myers had his longest outing of the Spring with 4IP, allowing 6H/2ER, and dialing up an impressive 6Ks to go with 3BB. Five relievers followed with one IP each, and everybody got out unscathed, except for Tim Byrdak who allowed 3H/3ER, 1K:2BB, including a homer for Brian McCann, who also hit a homer off Myers. Roy Corcoran gave up three hits, but got out of the jam, while Evan Englebrook had a perfect inning, followed by scoreless outings by Abad and Wilton Lopez.

Astros batting
We've already talked about the big days by Pence and Lee, but Tommy Manzella was 2x3 with a run scored as Mills ran out a preview of what the Opening Day lineup could look like without Berkman. And it was as follows: Bourn, Matsui, Pence, Lee, Blum (1B), Feliz, Manzella, Quintero, and the pitcher's spot. In a somewhat-troubling statistic, Astros batters struck out eight times and only drew one walk (captip, Jason Michaels).

0-fers (more than one AB): Shelton (0x2)

Positional Battles

Catcher
Quintero: 1x3, run (.188)
Santangelo: 1x1 (.333)

OF5
Sullivan: 0x1 (.118)
Romero: 1x2 (.444), picked off first

IF6:
Navarro: 1x2 (.286)
Shelton: 0x2 (.250)
Johnson: 1x1 (.333)
Maysonet: 1x1 (.500)

Man of the Match
Hunter Pence! 2x3 with 3RBI

Goat of the Game
Tim Byrdak: 1IP, 3H/3ER + 2BB.