got a goal in him when he comes up for set-pieces

HOUSTON -- In these lean times for the Houston Astros, Chris Carter is showing more and more that he can be a difference-maker for this young team. Carter homered twice, including a go-ahead three-run shot in the seventh, to back seven strong innings from Bud Norris and give the Astros a 4-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday night. The victory breaks a five-game skid for the Astros, who had been shut out in their last two games. Carter broke a 22-inning scoring drought for Houston with his solo homer in the second off Roberto Hernandez (4-10) that tied it 1-1. He connected on a full-count pitch from Jake McGee on his second home run to make it 4-1 in the seventh. Carter leads the Astros with 17 homers and his 44 RBIs are tied for the team lead. He is the first Astro to reach 17 homers by July 3 since Lance Berkman in 2009. Just over halfway through the season, Carter is one homer shy of the 18 Justin Maxwell hit all of last season to lead the club. The Astros are enamoured with Carters power and impressed with his increased discipline at the plate recently. "He has a chance to hit 30 home runs and drive in 100," Houston manager Bo Porter said. "When you see that kind of progression and you see the adjustments being made, you really say to yourself moving forward that this guy has a chance to be a middle-of-the-order bat who can be very productive." He has reached base safely in 15 of his last 16 games and his hitting .315 with four homers and 10 RBIs in that span. Carter was just glad he could help the team get back on track after a tough couple of games. "Its nice to score some runs and get a win after the last two games where we didnt score and they outscored us by 20 runs," he said. "Im just happy we came out with a win right there." Norris (6-7) allowed six hits and one run with five strikeouts to break a three-game losing streak and pick up his first win since June 1. Jose Veras allowed a hit in a scoreless ninth for his 17th save. "Bud was absolutely outstanding," Porter said. "I thought he threw probably the best game of the season this year. His slider just had unbelievable depth ... hes our No. 1 guy and he pitched like a No. 1 guy again tonight." Hernandez allowed four hits and three runs in six-plus innings for his fourth consecutive loss. James Loney had two hits to extend his hitting streak to 14 games and Ben Zobrist drove in Tampa Bays only run with a sacrifice fly in the first. Carters homer in the second pinged off the facade on the wall above the Crawford Boxes in left field, giving the Astros their first earned run in 31 innings. It also broke a team record-tying 24-inning scoreless streak for Rays pitchers. It was the third time in team history theyd reached the mark. Jose Altuve singled with two outs in the third, but was caught stealing second to end the inning. Hernandez starting rolling after that and retired the next nine straight. He ran into trouble in the seventh when Brett Wallace doubled with no outs before he was chased by a single from Jason Castro. He was replaced by McGee, and Carter sent his 98 mph fastball to the train tracks atop the wall in left field. It was Carters second multi-homer game of the season and of his career. "Carter hurt us," Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon said. "He didnt miss two pitches. That one from Jake (McGee) was properly struck. That is back wall anywhere. That was incredible. You have to give them credit for the way they bounced back today, and their pitcher set up the whole thing." Norris hasnt had much run support lately, with the Astros scoring just three runs combined in his last three losses. A relieved-looking Norris greeted Carter with a hug and a huge smile in the dugout after his homer put Houston on top. The feeling Norris had when as he watched Carters homer was simple. "Pure joy," he said. "CCs (Carter) done it a few times for me, so weve just got to keep it going." The Rays had trouble stringing together hits against Norris. Their best chance to add to their run total came in the fifth. Jose Molinas comebacker sailed just inches above Norriss head for a single to start the inning. Norris then struck out Yunel Escobar and Molina was caught stealing second on the play. Norris walked consecutive batters, but escaped the jam by retiring Zobrist for the third out. Escobar singled with one out in the seventh before Jennings grounded into a double play to end the inning. NOTES: The series wraps up Thursday when Tampa Bays Chris Archer opposes Jordan Lyles. ... Houston DH Carlos Pena was back in the lineup after taking time to travel to the Dominican Republic following the drowning death of his nephew. He returned to the team on Tuesday after missing two games, but did not play. Pena said it was a difficult time for his family, but the support the team showed him made it a bit easier. "We have a lot of signs around here that we have family first and thats something that I saw firsthand, how they reacted to this situation," Pena said. "They did everything they could to make sure my family was all right and taken care of, which I appreciate."... Evan Longoria was Tampa Bays designated hitter for the second straight game after missing the previous three games with plantar fasciitis in his right foot. Manager Joe Maddon said he doesnt know when the All-Star third baseman will feel good enough to play defence, but thats OK with him. "Well just have to wait to get him on the field, but we have him as a DH well take it," Maddon said. Air Max 720 Saturn Canada . According to TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie, the deal will pay Schenn $2.25 million in the first year and $2.75 million in the second year. 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The Major League Soccer teams were scheduled to play on Saturday night, but their game was rescheduled after Stu Tudor was hit during a pregame storm. The 54-year-old lieutenant in the Columbus Fire Department is in critical condition in the intensive care unit of the Ohio State Medical Center.Matt Le Tissier will attempt to complete a clean sweep of Soccer Saturday pundits when he takes on Phil Thompson in this weeks Sky Sports Fantasy Six-a-Side head-to-head. Le Tiss Saints knowledge helped him see off Fantasy Football Clubs Paul Merson for Leicester against Southampton, before beating Charlie Nicholas in Tottenham versus Manchester United in their winner-stays-on competition. The Soccer Saturday pundit with the most wins come the end of the season will win £1,000 for their charity of choice.The usual £10,000 is up for grabs for entrants of the free-to-play game in Saturday Night Football, with Chelsea hosting Manchester City, live on Sky Sports 1HD at 5.30pm. Fantasy Six-a-Side Pick your team here for the chance to win the ￡10,000 jackpot. With no player values, formations or position requirements in Sky Sports Fantasy Six-a-Side, the pundits can pick whoever they want except for only one of the four Elite Players, who are Sergio Aguero, Yaya Toure, Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas this week.Heres who the Soccer Saturday pundits are selecting... Matt Le Tissier and Phil Thompson name their teams Matt Le Tissier (undefeated with two wins from two)Sergio Aguero - On his day hes the best striker in the Premier League and the sort of explosive player that can go out and score four goals in a game. Ill settle for a hat-trick this weekend.Kevin De Bruyne - Youve simply got to have De Bruyne in your team. He scores goals and sets them up and, as he showed in the Champions League quarter-finals, is a big-game player. Kevin De Bruyne scored in both legs against PSG Oscar - He may not have the goals as the aforementioned two but he creates chances and completess passes, so is going in as my safe pick of the bunch.ddddddddddddFernandinho - Hes all action, with passes, tackles and interceptions all day. Ill be hoping he can stay clear of the referees attention, though, having picked up six bookings in the league and another one in the Champions League on Tuesday night.Willian - His goals may have dried up of late but hes still probably been Chelseas best player this season and always provides a threat from set-pieces.David Silva - Ive packed my team with attacking midfielders in the expectation of an open game and, while Silva has had a relatively poor season, it says it all about his standards that hes still got 11 assists. Phil Thompson (debutant)Diego Costa - Aguero is obviously a great player but Id be concerned that he might not start after picking up a few knocks during their Champions League exploits, so Im going with the well-rested Costa.Gary Cahill - With Chelsea being at home theres obviously a chance they get a clean sheet and Cahill has always got a goal in him when he comes up for set-pieces.Pedro - Hes been having a better time of it with a couple of recent braces, so Id fancy him to get on the scoresheet if its an open game. Pedro is Chelseas second top scorer with six goals this season Kevin de Bruyne - Like Le Tiss says, hes an obvious pick. My only worry is whether hell play the full 90 minutes having only just come back from injury.Fernando - Ill have Fernando over Le Tiss Fernandinho pick with him playing in a deeper role and completing plenty of simple passes.David Silva - On his day hes the whole package for a Fantasy player, with passes, assists and goals.Who makes your VI? Pick your Sky Sports Fantasy Six-a-Side team here. Also See: Premier League video Fixtures Table Live on Sky ' ' '