What happened today in team history?
1967 – Gotay day
Filling in on the roster for Joe Morgan while on military leave, Houston Astros infielder Julio Gotay had a career day at the plate, going 5-for-5, including hitting in the game-tying run to send the game into extras, but it wasn’t enough for the win, still losing to the St. Louis Cardinals 5-4 in 11 innings.
1972 – Larry Dierker one-hitter
Astros pitcher Larry Dierker tossed a one-hitter to blank the New York Mets 3-0. The only blemish on Dierker’s day came in the third when a single put the only runner on base for the Mets in the game. Tommy Helms helped out on offence, delivering four hits for the Astros.
1980 – Ryan and Sambito’s one-hitter
Despite having the flu, Nolan Ryan tossed seven one-hit innings before handing the ball over to Joe Sambito to finish off a 2-0 win over the Cardinals. The only hit in the game came in the third inning with a double. Offensively, it was all Jose Cruz, who drove in both runs.
2013 – Appel’s introduction
After getting drafted 1st overall in the 2013 MLB draft, Astros pitcher Mark Appel is introduced during a press conference. This comes after he received a $6.35 million signing bonus, more than a million over slot value.
What else happened on this day?
1846
At Elysian Field in Hoboken, NJ, the New York Knickerbockers and the New York Nine play the first game of organized baseball in history, with the Nine defeating the Knicks 23-1.
1893
Despite getting traded in the middle of the streak, Piggy Ward sets an MLB record by reaching base for his 17th straight time.
1927
In a double-header between the Philadelphia Phillies and Cincinnati Reds, Phillies pitcher Jack Scott became the last player in history to throw all 18-innings of the day.