Recap for ST16: Astros v. Yankees

What Happened?
The Astros overcame a crap outing by Brett Myers, and Pence, Lee, and Sullivan provided seven RBI as the Astros beat the Yankees 8-6.

Why They Won
Touching up Aceves for five runs in the first five innings. Even though the Yankees scored the first four runs, the Astros scored six unanswered - all in the 5th and 6th innings. Houston had a 6-5 lead going into the bottom of the 8th and Cory Sullivan hit a two-run homer to put the game just out of reach for the Yankees.

Astros pitching
The win came despite Brett Myers poor outing: 5IP, 8H/4ER, 6K:3BB. The strikeouts aren't a problem for Myers, but he's giving up too many hits. 11 of the 24 Yankees Myers faced reached base, including six extra-base hits (four doubles, a triple, and a homer). The Astros only used two relievers - Casey Daigle, who gave up six hits and struck out four, allowing one run in 2.1IP; and Shane Loux, who gave up an unearned run in 1.2IP. Astro pitching continues to get themselves in - and out - of jams, getting the Yankees to go 3x15 with RISP.

Astros batting
Houston managed 11 hits and one walk against Yankee pitching. Six of the 11 hits were from Pence, Lee, and Sullivan who provided most of the run-producing hits, as well. Jason Bourgeois, Drew Meyer, Chris Shelton, Mark Ori, and Jeff Keppinger enjoyed the other five hits. But the most telling stat was the 5x9 w/RISP. Unfortunately, Tommy Manzella strained his right quad running out a grounder in the 3rd inning, and will likely be out about a week.

0-fers (more than one AB): Matsui (0x3, RBI), Johnson (0x3), Quintero (0x2, BB)

Positional Battles

Catcher
Quintero: 0x2, R, BB (.250) - picked off Brett Gardner at first.
Cash: 0x1 (.111)

OF5
Bourgeois: 1x3, R, SB (.286)
Sullivan: 2x4, 2RBI, SB (.250)

IF6
Maysonet: 0x1, (.400)
Shelton: 1x3 (.200)

Man of the Match
Hunter Pence. 2x3, 2R, 3RBI, and two doubles, and is hitting .467 on the Spring.

Goat of the Game
It has to be Brett Myers. In his last three starts, Myers has increased his IPs by one each outing (which is the goal - I realize that), but in those 12IP, he has allowed 18/8ER, with 14K:7BB, and his ERA sits at 6.43.