What happened today in team history?
1967 – Pounding the Cards
Led by Bob Aspromonte’s five-hit day, the Houston Astros won by the largest margin in franchise history, winning 17-1 over the St. Louis Cardinals. Behind Aspromonte, catcher Ron Brand led the team with four hits. That record stood until 2019.
1974 – Astros blank the Mets
Thanks to a masterpiece from starter Don Wilson, the Astros blank the New York Mets 1-0. The only run of the game came off the bat of Lee May, who smoked a solo-shot in the second inning to give Houston the lead.
2003 – Hidalgo’s return
In his first game off the disabled list, Astros outfielder Richard Hidalgo smacked a game-winning home run to top the Tampa Bay Rays 5-4. That was the third hit of the night for Hidalgo, who was hospitalized with tonsillitis just a week before.
Lance Berkman also hit a ballpark-record 464-foot blast earlier in the game to give the Astros a lead early and closer Billy Wagner picked up his 199th save, tying a franchise record.
What else happened on this day?
1892
In a game between the Cleveland Spiders and Brooklyn Grooms, Cleveland’s Jack Doyle became the first pitch-hitter to record a hit, singling in place of their pitcher.
1974
The game between the Chicago White Sox and Boston Red Sox was delayed after a fire broke out in the visitors’ cluehouse and caused fans to jump onto the field to try and escape it. According to the Chicago Tribune, 14 people were transported to the Hospital due to smoke inhalation.
1983
Philadelphia Phillies ace Steve Carlton passed Nolan Ryan for the all-time lead in strikeouts with a third inning punchout to bring his career total to 3,522. This started the back-and-forth between the two that went on for the next few seasons.
2007
New York Yankees manager Joe Torre became the first person in MLB history to have 2,000 hits and 2,000 wins as a manager after the Yankees 10-3 win over the White Sox.