Tapped to start a must-win game, Fister faced nine batters and recorded only four outs in the shortest postseason outing for Boston since Bret Saberhagen pitched one inning in Game 5 of the 1999 ALDS against the Indians.
Fister struggled to contain Houston's powerful lineup from the outset, surrendering an RBI single to Josh Reddick and a two-run homer to Carlos Correa that gave the Astros a 3-0 lead in the first inning.
Fister fell into trouble again in the second, issuing a leadoff walk to Carlos Beltran and allowing a single to Yuli Gurriel.