Recap for ST17: Astros v. Red Sox

What Happened?
The Astros and Red Sox got in seven and a half innings before rain called the game, but two crooked numbers - five runs for the Red Sox in the 2nd, and six runs for the Astros in the 7th - left the Astros on top 10-7.

Why They Won
Despite Bud Norris giving up five hits and two walks (5ER) in 1.2IP, the Astros touched up Jonathan Papelbon for six runs (five earned) in 0.1IP in the 7th. The Astros were, 5x10 with RISP, with seven of their eleven hits going for extra bases (five doubles, two homers).

Astros pitching
Bud Norris probably wished he was crapping on the toilet, instead of crapping on the mound. Norris allowed seven baserunners - five hits (doubles to Youkilis and Pedroia, and homers to Cameron and Pedroia) - and two walks. Pat Urckfitz came on and got the final out of the 2nd inning because Norris' pitch count was too high for a 3rd innings, and Moehler threw 4IP, 7H/2ER, 1K:2BB. Chris Sampson came on for the save, throwing a perfect 7th inning.

Astros batting
We've mentioned the Astros' prowess with RISP and extra-base hits, mostly coming at the expense of Papelbon, who gave up doubles to Kevin Cash, Brandon Barnes, and Chris Johnson. Johnson also got himself a homer off of Hideki Okajima and Kaz Matsui hit a 2-run shot off of Jon Lester. Continuing the Astros' generally horrid K:BB ratio, the Astros struck out eight times compared to one Drew Meyer walk.

0-fers (more than one AB): Michaels (0x3), Sullivan (0x3), Duran (0x2), Garciaparra (0x2), Quintero (0x2)

Positional Battles

Catcher
Quintero: 0x3, K (.222)
Castro: 1x2, K, Error (.409)
Cash: 1x2, 2B, R (.182)

OF5
Bourgeois: 1x2, K, left game with injured hamstring (.304)
Sullivan: 0x3, K (.235)

IF6
Johnson: 2x4, R, 3RBI (.314)

Man of the Match
Goes to two players: Chris Johnson and Kaz Matsui - both had a double and a homer and accounted for five of the Astros' 10 runs.

Goat of the Game
Bud Norris. For obvious reasons. Let's chalk it up to coming back after a stomach bug.