What happened today in team history?
1986 – Bob Knepper stays hot
After starting the season 4-0, Houston Astros starter Bob Knepper continues to stay hot, helping lead the team to a 6-1 over the Montreal Expos. Knepper has been a key piece to the three-man rotation the Astros have been using to kick off the season, with Mike Scott and Nolan Ryan helping the Astros to a good start.
2001 – Astros win in extras
After a long fight with the New York Mets, the Astros finally are able to get over the hump and beat them in the 11th inning thanks to back-to-back homers from Lance Berkman and Moises Alou, leading to the 6-5 win. Alou’s solo shot was just one of three in the game for the Astros, with Craig Biggio and Daryle Ward also going yard.
2008 – Back-to-back-to-back
For just the sixth time in franchise history, the Astros go back-to-back-to-back in home runs to cap off a 7-4 win over the Milwaukee Brewers. Miguel Tejada, Lance Berkman and Carlos Lee helped put the Astros to the win with their three homers in the sixth to go along with Hunter Pence’s two home runs of his own.
What else happened on this day?
1876
At Cincinnati’s Avenue Grounds, Chicago White Stockings’ Ross Barnes became the first player in National League history to hit a home run, going yard off Cincinnati Reds’ Cherokee Fisher.
1923
Washington Senators’ Walter Johnson became the first, and still the only, player in MLB history to throw 100 career shutouts, shutting out the New York Yankees 3-0.
1988
Reds manager Pete Rose became the first manager in history to be suspended for an on-field altercation, receiving a 30-game suspension after an argument with Dave Pallone’s on a delayed call led to him getting tossed out of the game.
1999
For the first time, Nike ran their “Chick dig the long ball” ad that features Atlanta Braves aces Tom Glavine and Greg Maddux.