What happened today in team history?
1973 – Houston spanks the Padres
On the back of Lee May’s three home runs and Ken Forsch’s complete game, the Houston Astros put up a 12-2 win over the San Diego Padres. May’s three homers drove in five runs while Tommy Helms’ grand slam drove in another four.
1992 – Astros sweep the Dodgers
Astros pitchers Butch Henry and Doug Jones combine for nine shutout innings and get help from a two-run bomb by Pete Incaviglia for a 2-0 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers. This win marks a series sweep, with the Astros finishing the series throwing 20 consecutive no-hit innings.
2001 – Homers weren’t enough
Five bombs from Astros hitters wasn’t enough for them to outlast the Cincinnati Reds, losing 8-7 in 11-innings. Craig Biggio, Jeff Bagwell, Richard Hidalgo and Lance Berkman all went deep, with Berkman doing it twice, but it wasn’t enough for Houston, who lost thanks to four homers for the Reds themselves and a game-winning RBI-single.
What else happened on this day?
1968
The Chicago Cubs set a new MLB record after their scoreless streak finally ended at 48 innings, breaking the streak with a third-inning, bases-loaded walk in a 3-2 win over the Reds.
1986
Former Heisman Trophy winner Bo Jackson stuns the sports world by signing with the Kansas City Royals after getting drafted 1st overall in the NFL draft.
2010
In a press conference, Tampa Bay Rays owner Stuart Sternberg talked about how the team can’t succeed with low attendance at games, this time blaming the location of St. Petersburg.
2011
During a night game between the Astros and Texas Rangers, a Guinness World Record 35,533 fans wore sunglasses after dark.