1981 Houston Astros season

Last updated

1981  Houston Astros
National League West Co-Champions
League National League
Division West
Ballpark Astrodome
City Houston, Texas
Record61–49 (55.5%)
Divisional place3rd (first half); 1st (second half)
Owners John McMullen
General managers Al Rosen
Managers Bill Virdon
Television KRIV–TV 26
(Gene Elston, Dewayne Staats, Larry Dierker)
Radio KENR–AM 1070
(Gene Elston, Dewayne Staats, Larry Dierker)
  1980 Seasons 1982  

The 1981 Houston Astros season was the 20th season for the Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise in Houston, Texas. The season was divided into two halves because of a players' strike in mid-season. The Astros won the National League West in the second half with a loss by the Cincinnati Reds on October 3, the penultimate day of the season. [1] The Astros advanced to the playoffs, which matched the winners of the two halves in a Division Series (the name would be re-introduced fourteen years later). However, they were defeated in five games by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLDS.

Contents

Offseason

Regular season

Season standings

NL West W L Pct. GB Home Road
Cincinnati Reds 66420.61132–2234–20
Los Angeles Dodgers 63470.573433–2330–24
Houston Astros 61490.555631–2030–29
San Francisco Giants 56550.50511½29–2427–31
Atlanta Braves 50560.4721522–2728–29
San Diego Padres 41690.3732620–3521–34
NL West
First Half Standings
WLPct.GB
Los Angeles Dodgers 3621.632
Cincinnati Reds 3521.62512
Houston Astros 2829.4918
Atlanta Braves 2529.4639+12
San Francisco Giants 2732.45810
San Diego Padres 2333.41112+12
NL West
Second Half Standings
WLPct.GB
Houston Astros 3320.623
Cincinnati Reds 3121.5961+12
San Francisco Giants 2923.5583+12
Los Angeles Dodgers 2726.5096
Atlanta Braves 2527.4817+12
San Diego Padres 1836.33315+12

Record vs. opponents


Sources:
TeamATLCHCCINHOULADMONNYMPHIPITSDSFSTL
Atlanta 3–2–16–54–87–73–73–34–52–39–65–74–3
Chicago 2–3–11–51–66–44–75–8–12–104–103–35–55–4–1
Cincinnati 5–65–18–48–85–47–35–24–210–29–50–5
Houston 8–46–14–84–85–26–34–62–411–39–62–4
Los Angeles 7–74–68–88–45–25–13–35–16–57–55–5
Montreal 7–37–44–52–52–59–37–410–34–22–56–9
New York 3–38–5–13–73–61–53–97–73–6–12–52–46–5
Philadelphia 5-410–22–56–43–34–77–77–54–24–37–6
Pittsburgh 3–210–42–44–21–53–106–3–15–76–43–73–8
San Diego 6–93–32–103–115–62–45–22–44–66–73–7
San Francisco 7–55–55–96–95–75–24–23–47–37–62–3
St. Louis 3–44–5–15–04–25–59–65–66–78–37–33–2

Notable transactions

Nolan Ryan's 5th No-Hitter

On September 26, 1981, Nolan Ryan no-hit the Los Angeles Dodgers, 5-0, on national television. The 34-year-old right-hander became the first pitcher to throw five career no-hitters. [10] It had been six years since Ryan's last no-hitter; he pitched for the California Angels for the last of four no-hitters.

Roster

1981 Houston Astros
Roster
PitchersCatchers

Infielders

OutfieldersManager

Coaches

Game log

Regular season (First half)

1981 regular season game log: 28–29 (home: 14–14; away: 14–15)
April: 7–12 (home: 4–9; away: 3–3)
#DateTime (CT)OpponentScoreWinLossSaveTime of GameAttendanceRecordBox/
Streak
1 April 93:05 p.m. CST @ Dodgers L 0–2 Valenzuela (1–0) Niekro (0–1)2:1750,5110–1 L1
2 April 119:05 p.m. CST @ Dodgers L 4–7 Hooton (1–0) Sutton (0–1)2:5651,6910–2 L2
3 April 123:05 p.m. CST @ Dodgers L 2–3 Sutcliffe (1–0) Ruhle (0–1) Howe (1)2:1650,7340–3 L3
4 April 137:35 p.m. CST Braves L 1–2 (10) Camp (1–0) Sambito (0–1) Bradford (1)2:5734,9610–4 L4
5 April 147:35 p.m. CST Braves W 8–2 Niekro (1–1) Walk (0–1)2:3821,4401–4 W1
6 April 157:35 p.m. CST Braves W 2–0 Ryan (1–0) Boggs (0–1) LaCorte (1)2:0022,3652–4 W2
7 April 177:35 p.m. CST Pirates L 3–4 Rhoden (2–0) Sutton (0–2) Romo (2)2:2839,1192–5 L1
8 April 1812:50 p.m. CST Pirates L 3–6 (11) Jackson (1–0) Smith (0–1)3:0629,7902–6 L2
9 April 192:05 p.m. CST Pirates L 0–2 Scurry (1–0) Niekro (1–2) Solomon (1)2:2130,3942–7 L3
10 April 207:35 p.m. CST Dodgers L 2–5 Hooton (3–0) Andújar (0–1) Goltz (1)2:3421,3702–8 L4
11 April 217:35 p.m. CST Dodgers W 1–0 Knepper (1–0) Reuss (0–1)1:4821,9043–8 W1
12 April 226:05 p.m. CST Dodgers L 0–1 Valenzuela (4–0) Sutton (0–3)2:2422,8303–9 L1
13 April 237:35 p.m. CST Reds L 4–5 (10) Price (1–0) Smith (0–2) Moskau (1)3:0623,1733–10 L2
14 April 247:35 p.m. CST Reds L 0–3 Pastore (1–0) Niekro (1–3)2:2327,0873–11 L3
15 April 2512:50 p.m. CST Reds L 1–2 Berenyi (2–0) Ryan (1–1) Hume (1)2:4519,9573–12 L4
16 April 262:05 p.m. CDT Reds W 1–0 Knepper (2–0) Soto (1–3)2:2123,4284–12 W1
17 April 286:35 p.m. CDT @ Braves W 2–1 Sutton (1–3) Montefusco (1–2) Smith (1)2:348,6695–12 W2
18 April 296:35 p.m. CDT @ Braves W 5–4 LaCorte (1–0) Camp (2–1)3:188,3346–12 W3
19 April 306:35 p.m. CDT @ Braves W 5–1 Niekro (2–3) Boggs (1–3)2:1910,0067–12 W4
May: 17–12 (home: 8–4; away: 9–8)
#DateTime (CT)OpponentScoreWinLossSaveTime of GameAttendanceRecordBox/
Streak
20 May 16:35 p.m. CDT @ Pirates W 5–3 Sambito (1–1) Solomon (0–1)3:017,0128–12 W5
21 May 26:05 p.m. CDT @ Pirates L 4–5 (12) Solomon (1–1) Smith (0–3)3:5621,9938–13 L1
22 May 312:35 p.m. CDT @ Pirates W 3–1 Sutton (2–3) Bibby (1–1) Smith (2)3:1510,4389–13 W1
23 May 41:35 p.m. CDT @ Cubs W 5–4 Andújar (1–1) Krukow (1–2) Sambito (1)3:022,94110–13 W2
24 May 51:35 p.m. CDT @ Cubs W 4–3 Smith (1–3) Smith (0–2)2:412,09211–13 W3
25 May 61:35 p.m. CDT @ Cubs L 1–2 (11) Smith (1–2) LaCorte (1–1)3:272,57211–14 W4
26 May 71:35 p.m. CDT @ Cubs W 6–0 Knepper (3–0) Martz (1–1)2:403,11212–14 L1
27 May 86:35 p.m. CDT @ Reds L 0–4 Seaver (3–1) Sutton (2–4)2:2131,96112–15 L1
28 May 91:15 p.m. CDT @ Reds L 5–9 Berenyi (3–1) Andújar (1–2)2:3830,86012–16 L2
29 May 101:35 p.m. CDT @ Reds W 7–5 Niekro (3–3) Pastore (1–1) LaCorte (2)2:4431,90313–16 W1
30 May 116:35 p.m. CDT @ Reds W 5–0 Ryan (2–1) LaCoss (1–4)2:3611,79514–16 W2
31 May 127:35 p.m. CDT Cardinals L 2–3 (10) Sutter (1–1) Sambito (1–2) Kaat (2)2:2620,02013–17 L1
32 May 137:35 p.m. CDT Cardinals W 3–0 Sutton (3–4) Shirley (4–1)2:2421,70514–17 W1
33 May 147:35 p.m. CDT Cardinals L 6–7 Otten (1–0) Sambito (1–3) Sutter (6)2:5420,04214–18 L1
34 May 157:35 p.m. CDT Cubs W 5–0 Niekro (4–3) Caudill (0–3)2:1623,71816–18 W1
35 May 167:35 p.m. CDT Cubs W 6–1 Ryan (3–1) Martz (1–2) Sambito (2)2:4843,72617–18 W2
36 May 172:35 p.m. CDT Cubs W 6–1 Knepper (4–0) Krukow (1–4)2:3434,06818–18 W3
37 May 197:35 p.m. CDT @ Cardinals L 12–15 Kaat (2–0) Sprowl (0–1)3:0314,58518–19 L1
38 May 207:35 p.m. CDT @ Cardinals W 4–3 (11) Niekro (5–3) Sutter (1–2) Sambito (3)2:4719,17519–19 W1
39 May 217:35 p.m. CDT @ Cardinals L 1–3 Martin (1–0) Ryan (3–2)2:1319,82319–20 L1
40 May 227:35 p.m. CDT Giants L 3–6 (15) Minton (2–2) Andújar (1–3)4:3830,37719–21 L2
41 May 237:35 p.m. CDT Giants W 5–3 LaCorte (2–1) Whitson (1–5)3:0938,58620–21 W1
42 May 245:00 p.m. CDT Giants L 1–2 Blue (4–3) Sutton (3–5) Minton (9)2:2634,92220–22 L1
43 May 257:35 p.m. CDT Padres W 6–3 Niekro (6–3) Mura (1–7) Sambito (4)2:4119,02521–22 W1
44 May 267:35 p.m. CDT Padres W 1–0 Ryan (4–2) Eichelberger (4–3) Sambito (5)2:2317,70922–22 W2
45 May 277:35 p.m. CDT Padres W 1–0 Knepper (5–0) Welsh (2–3)1:5021,25623–22 W3
46 May 299:35 p.m. CDT @ Giants L 1–3 Blue (5–3) Sutton (3–6) Holland (2)2:228,39723–23 L1
47 May 303:05 p.m. CDT @ Giants W 9–8 (14) Andújar (2–3) Breining (1–1) Ruhle (1)4:338,86924–23 W1
48 May 313:05 p.m. CDT @ Giants L 1–6 Griffin (4–3) Ryan (4–3) Holland (3)2:3420,62624–24 L1
June: 4–5 (home: 2–1; away: 2–4)
#DateTime (CT)OpponentScoreWinLossSaveTime of GameAttendanceRecordBox/
Streak
49 June 29:05 p.m. CDT @ Padres W 2–1 LaCorte (3–1) Welsh (2–4) Sambito (6)2:199,67125–24 W1
50 June 39:05 p.m. CDT @ Padres W 6–1 Sutton (4–6) Wise (2–5)2:2510,02326–24 W2
51 June 43:05 p.m. CDT @ Padres L 5–7 Mura (3–7) Niekro (6–4) Lucas (8)2:3112,40326–25 L1
52 June 57:35 p.m. CDT Mets W 3–0 Ryan (5–3) Jones (1–6)2:0928,08527–25 W1
53 June 67:35 p.m. CDT Mets W 6–2 Ruhle (1–1) Zachry (5–6) Smith (3)2:1742,47828–25 W2
54 June 77:35 p.m. CDT Mets L 1–3 Scott (3–4) Knepper (5–1) Allen (6)2:1329,87328–26 L1
55 June 87:35 p.m. CDT @ Phillies L 3–4 Ruthven (8–3) Sutton (4–7) McGraw (6)2:4131,66428–27 L2
56 June 96:35 p.m. CDT @ Phillies L 3–10 Bystrom (4–3) Niekro (6–5) Reed (5)2:1733,97828–28 L3
57 June 106:35 p.m. CDT @ Phillies L 4–5 Carlton (9–1) LaCorte (3–2) McGraw (7)2:2257,38628–29 L4
Legend:       = Win       = Loss       = Postponement
Bold = Astros team member

Regular season (games canceled by the 1981 Major League Baseball strike)

1981 regular season game log
June
#DateTime (CT)OpponentScoreWinLossSaveTime of GameAttendanceRecordBox/
Streak
June 12@ Mets Canceled (Strike)
June 13@ Mets Canceled (Strike)
June 14@ Mets Canceled (Strike)
June 15@ Expos Canceled (Strike)
June 16@ Expos Canceled (Strike)
June 17 Phillies Canceled (Strike)
June 18 Phillies Canceled (Strike)
June 19 Expos Canceled (Strike)
June 20 Expos Canceled (Strike)
June 21 Expos Canceled (Strike)
June 23@ Pirates Canceled (Strike)
June 24@ Pirates Canceled (Strike)
June 25@ Pirates Canceled (Strike)
June 26 Dodgers Canceled (Strike)
June 27 Dodgers Canceled (Strike)
June 28 Dodgers Canceled (Strike)
June 29 Reds Canceled (Strike)
June 30 Reds Canceled (Strike)
July
#DateTime (CT)OpponentScoreWinLossSaveTime of GameAttendanceRecordBox/
Streak
July 1 Reds Canceled (Strike)
July 3@ Braves Canceled (Strike)
July 4@ Braves Canceled (Strike)
July 5@ Braves Canceled (Strike)
July 7@ Dodgers Canceled (Strike)
July 8@ Dodgers Canceled (Strike)
July 9@ Dodgers Canceled (Strike)
July 10 Braves Canceled (Strike)
July 11 Braves Canceled (Strike)
July 12 Braves Canceled (Strike)
July 16@ Reds Canceled (Strike)
July 17@ Reds Canceled (Strike)
July 18@ Reds Canceled (Strike)
July 19@ Cubs Canceled (Strike)
July 20@ Cubs Canceled (Strike)
July 21 Pirates Canceled (Strike)
July 22 Pirates Canceled (Strike)
July 23 Pirates Canceled (Strike)
July 24 Cardinals Canceled (Strike)
July 25 Cardinals Canceled (Strike)
July 26 Cardinals Canceled (Strike)
July 27 Cubs Canceled (Strike)
July 28 Cubs Canceled (Strike)
July 29 Cubs Canceled (Strike)
July 31@ Cardinals Canceled (Strike)
August
#DateTime (CT)OpponentScoreWinLossSaveTime of GameAttendanceRecordBox/
Streak
August 1@ Cardinals Canceled (Strike)
August 2@ Cardinals Canceled (Strike)
August 3 Giants Canceled (Strike)
August 4 Giants Canceled (Strike)
August 5 Giants Canceled (Strike)
August 7 Padres Canceled (Strike)
August 8 Padres Canceled (Strike)
August 9 Padres Canceled (Strike)
Legend:       = Win       = Loss       = Postponement
Bold = Astros team member

Regular season (Second half)

1981 regular season game log: 33–20 (home: 17–6; away: 16–14)
August: 13–8 (home: 7–1; away: 6–7)
#DateTime (CT)OpponentScoreWinLossSaveTime of GameAttendanceRecordBox/
Streak
52nd All-Star Game in Cleveland, Ohio
1 {58)August 109:35 p.m. CDT @ Giants W 6–5 Sambito (2–3) Breining (2–2) LaCorte (3)3:0811,1151–0 (29–29) W1
2 (59)August 119:35 p.m. CDT @ Giants L 2–3 Griffin (5–5) Niekro (6–6) Minton (10)2:3612,3541–1 (29–30) L1
3 (60)August 122:05 p.m. CDT @ Giants W 5–4 Sambito (3–3) Holland (3–3) Smith (1)2:518,7072–1 (30–30) W1
4 (61)August 133:05 p.m. CDT @ Padres L 1–9 Welsh (4–4) Knepper (5–2)2:294,8992–2 (30–31) L1
5 (62)August 149:05 p.m. CDT @ Padres W 5–1 Ryan (6–3) Lollar (1–5)2:248,4143–2 (31–31) W1
6 (63)August 159:05 p.m. CDT @ Padres W 5–0 Sutton (5–7) Eichelberger (6–4)1:595,8524–2 (32–31) W2
7 (64)August 163:05 p.m. CDT @ Padres W 3–0 Niekro (7–6) Mura (4–9) Smith (4)2:165,8805–2 (33–31) W3
8 (65)August 177:35 p.m. CDT Expos L 2–6 Burris (5–5) Ruhle (1–2) Fryman (4)2:1924,2035–3 (33–32) L1
9 {66)August 187:35 p.m. CDT Expos W 4–2 Knepper (6–2) Rogers (8–5) Sambito (7)2:0423,3066–3 (34–32) W1
10 (67)August 197:35 p.m. CDT Expos W 9–1 Ryan (7–3) Sanderson (6–4) Smith (5)2:3927,1697–3 (35–32) W2
11 (68)August 217:05 p.m. CDT @ Phillies L 4–5 Lyle (6–2) Ruhle (1–3) McGraw (8)2:4131,6937–4 (35–33) L1
12 (69)August 221:15 p.m. CDT @ Phillies L 4–8 Ruthven (9–5) Niekro (7–7)2:1635,1997–5 (35–34) L2
13 (70)August 236:05 p.m. CDT @ Phillies L 0–6 Carlton (10–3) Knepper (6–3)1:5130,6307–6 (35–35) L3
14 (71)August 257:05 p.m. CDT @ Mets L 1–2 Marshall (1–0) Sambito (3–4)2:3215,6227–7 (35–36) L4
15 (72)August 267:05 p.m. CDT @ Mets W 9–3 Sutton (6–7) Zachry (6–9)2:3416,7318–7 (36–36) W1
16 (73)August 271:05 p.m. CDT @ Mets L 2–3 Marshall (2–0) Sambito (3–5) Allen (12)2:2817,4888–8 (36–37) L1
17 (74)August 287:35 p.m. CDT Phillies W 3–2 (10) Smith (2–3) Lyle (6–3)2:3729,4829–8 (37–37) W1
18 (75)August 29 (1)5:35 p.m. CDT Phillies W 6–1 Ruhle (2–3) Davis (0–2)2:22N/A10–8 (38–37) W2
19 (76)August 29 (2)8:32 p.m. CDT Phillies W 2–1 Smith (1–0) Noles (0–1) LaCorte (4)2:0133,32711–8 (39–37) W3
20 77)August 307:35 p.m. CDT Phillies W 5–4 (10) Smith (3–3) Lyle (6–4)2:5323,10212–8 (40–37) W4
21 (78)August 317:35 p.m. CDT Mets W 6–1 Sutton (7–7) Zachry (6–10)2:2710,66913–8 (41–37) W5
September: 18–10 (home: 10–5; away: 8–5)
#DateTime (CT)OpponentScoreWinLossSaveTime of GameAttendanceRecordBox/
Streak
22 (79)September 17:35 p.m. CDT Mets W 3–2 Sambito (4–5) Marshall (2–1)2:3916,33914–8 (42–37) W6
23 (80)September 27:35 p.m. CDT Mets W 8–0 Knepper (7–3) Scott (4–8)2:2118,93815–8 (43–37) W7
24 {81)September 36:35 p.m. CDT @ Expos W 2–1 Ruhle (3–3) Sanderson (7–5) Smith (6)2:2024,83316–8 (44–37) W8
25 (82)September 46:35 p.m. CDT @ Expos W 5–0 Ryan (8–3) Gullickson (4–7) Sambito (8)2:5432,58017–8 (45–37) W9
26 (83)September 51:15 p.m. CDT @ Expos L 2–5 Burris (7–5) Sutton (7–8)2:1330,47117–9 (45–38) L1
27 (84)September 612:35 p.m. CDT @ Expos W 4–3 (12) LaCorte (4–2) Sosa (1–2)3:3347,19318–9 (46–38) W1
28 (85)September 76:35 p.m. CDT @ Braves W 3–2 Smith (4–3) Camp (7–2) Sambito (9)2:407,35819–9 (47–38) W2
29 (86)September 86:35 p.m. CDT @ Braves L 2–3 Camp (8–2) Smith (1–1)2:132,80019–10 (47–39) L1
30 (87)September 96:35 p.m. CDT @ Braves L 0–9 Niekro (7–5) Ryan (8–4)2:344,48219–11 (47–40) L2
31 (88)September 117:35 p.m. CDT Giants W 6–0 Sutton (8–8) Blue (8–6)2:3023,67720–11 (48–40) W1
32 (89)September 127:35 p.m. CDT Giants W 5–2 Niekro (8–7) Whitson (5–8) Smith (7)2:3935,86721–11 (49–40) W2
33 (90)September 135:00 p.m. CDT Giants W 3–0 Knepper (8–3) Alexander (8–7) LaCorte (5)2:3219,64222–11 (50–40) W3
34 (91)September 147:35 p.m. CDT Reds L 2–4 Berenyi (8–5) Ruhle (3–4)2:3019,74222–12 (50–41) L1
35 (92)September 155:00 p.m. CDT Reds L 0–4 Leibrandt (1–0) Ryan (8–5)2:2616,35422–13 (50–42) L2
36 (93)September 169:05 p.m. CDT @ Padres W 5–2 Sutton (9–8) Lollar (1–8) Sambito (10)2:354,24123–13 (51–42) W1
37 (94)September 179:05 p.m. CDT @ Padres W 9–0 Niekro (9–7) Mura (5–13)2:142,42824–13 (52–42) W2
38 (95)September 189:35 p.m. CDT @ Giants L 2–5 Alexander (9–7) Knepper (8–4) Holland (7)2:268,18324–14 (52–43) L1
39 (96)September 193:05 p.m. CDT @ Giants W 8–1 Ruhle (4–4) Griffin (8–7)2:2611,52225–14 (53–43) W1
40 (97)September 203:05 p.m. CDT @ Giants W 7–3 Ryan (9–5) Lavelle (0–6)3:0416,82426–14 (54–43) W2
41 (98)September 227:35 p.m. CDT Braves W 3–0 Sutton (10–8) Perry (7–8)2:1622,56427–14 (55–43) W3
42 (99)September 237:35 p.m. CDT Braves L 1–3 Mahler (6–6) Niekro (9–8)2:1324,14227–15 (55–44) L1
43 (100)September 247:35 p.m. CDT Braves W 5–3 Knepper (9–4) McWilliams (1–1) Smith (8)2:1723,34128–15 (56–44) W1
44 (101)September 257:35 p.m. CDT Dodgers L 0–3 Hooton (11–6) Ruhle (4–5)2:1835,48128–16 (56–45) L1
45 (102)September 261:20 p.m. CDT Dodgers W 5–0 Ryan (10–5) Power (1–3)2:4632,11529–16 (57–45) W1
46 (103)September 275:05 p.m. CDT Dodgers W 4–1 Sutton (11–8) Valenzuela (13–6)2:2341,68630–16 (58–45) W2
47 (104)September 287:35 p.m. CDT Padres W 2–1 Sambito (5–5) Eichelberger (8–8)2:0721,57631–16 (59–45) W3
48 (105)September 297:35 p.m. CDT Padres L 1–2 Wise (4–8) Knepper (9–5) Lucas (12)2:1934,73231–17 (59–46) L1
49 (106)September 306:35 p.m. CDT @ Reds L 2–3 Soto (11–9) Ruhle (4–6) Hume (13)2:1424,39431–18 (59–47) L2
October: 2–2 (home: 0–0; away: 2–2)
#DateTime (CT)OpponentScoreWinLossSaveTime of GameAttendanceRecordBox/
Streak
50 (107)October 14:00 p.m. CDT @ Reds W 8–1 Ryan (11–5) Berenyi (9–6)3:1226,48432–18 (60–47) W1
51 (108)October 29:30 p.m. CDT @ Dodgers L 1–6 Reuss (10–4) Sutton (11–9)2:3046,10832–19 (60–48) L1
52 (109)October 32:50 p.m. CDT @ Dodgers L 2–7 Welch (9–5) Niekro (9–9)2:4342,27232–20 (60–49) L2
53 (110)October 43:00 p.m. CDT @ Dodgers W 5–3 Smith (5–2) Goltz (2–7)3:1747,07233–20 (61–49) W1
Legend:       = Win       = Loss       = Postponement
Bold = Astros team member

Postseason Game log

1981 Postseason game log: 2–3 (home: 2–0; away: 0–3)
NL Western Division Series: vs. Los Angeles Dodgers 2–3 (home: 2–0; away: 0–3)
#DateTime (CT)OpponentScoreWinLossSaveTime of GameAttendanceSeriesBox/
Streak
1 October 67:15 p.m. CDT Dodgers W 3–1 Ryan (1–0) Stewart (0–1)2:2244,836HOU 1–0 W1
2 October 712:05 p.m. CDT Dodgers W 1–0 (11) Sambito (1–0) Stewart (0–2)3:3942,398HOU 2–0 W2
3 October 93:05 p.m. CDT @ Dodgers L 1–6 Hooton (1–0) Knepper (0–1)2:3546,820HOU 2–1 L1
4 October 107:15 p.m. CDT @ Dodgers L 1–2 Valenzuela (1–0) Ruhle (0–1)2:0055,983Tied 2–2 L2
5 October 113:05 p.m. CDT @ Dodgers L 0–4 Reuss (1–0) Ryan (1–1)2:5255,979LA 3–2 L3
Legend:       = Win       = Loss       = Postponement
Bold = Astros team member

Player stats

Batting

Starters by position

Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in

PosPlayerGABHAvg.HRRBI
C Alan Ashby 8325569.271433
1B César Cedeño 8230683.271534
2B Joe Pittman 5213538.28107
SS Craig Reynolds 8732384.260431
3B Art Howe 103361107.296336
LF José Cruz 107409109.2671355
CF Tony Scott 5522566.293222
RF Terry Puhl 9635088.251328

Other batters

Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in

PlayerGABHAvg.HRRBI
Denny Walling 6515837.234523
Kiko Garcia 4813637.272015
Luis Pujols 4011728.239114
Phil Garner 3111327.23906
Gary Woods 5411023.209012
Danny Heep 339624.250011
Dickie Thon 499526.27403
Rafael Landestoy 357411.14904
Dave Roberts 275413.24115
Mike Ivie 194210.23806
Harry Spilman 283410.29401
Jeffrey Leonard 7183.16703
Tim Tolman 481.12500
Scott Loucks 1074.57100
Alan Knicely 374.57122
Dave Bergman 661.16711
Bert Peña 421.50000

Pitching

Starting pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

PlayerGIPWLERASO
Joe Niekro 24166.0992.8277
Don Sutton 23158.21192.61104
Bob Knepper 22156.2952.1875
Nolan Ryan 21149.01151.69140
Vern Ruhle 20102.0462.9139

Other pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

PlayerGIPWLERASO
Joaquín Andújar 923.2234.9418

Relief pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

PlayerGIPWLSVERASO
Joe Sambito 4963.255101.8441
Dave Smith 4275.05382.7652
Frank LaCorte 3742.04253.6440
Bobby Sprowl 1528.20105.9718
Billy Smith 1020.21113.053
Gordie Pladson 24.00009.003

1981 National League Division Series

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Houston Astros

Los Angeles wins series, 3-2.

GameScoreDate
1Houston 3, Los Angeles 1October 6
2Houston 1, Los Angeles 0 (11 innings)October 7
3Los Angeles 6, Houston 1October 9
4Los Angeles 2, Houston 1October 10
5Los Angeles 4, Houston 0October 11

Farm system

LevelTeamLeagueManager
AAA Tucson Toros Pacific Coast League Jimmy Johnson
AA Columbus Astros Southern League Matt Galante
A Daytona Beach Astros Florida State League Carlos Alfonso
Rookie GCL Astros Blue Gulf Coast League Eric Swanson
Rookie GCL Astros Orange Gulf Coast League Lyle Olsen

LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Daytona Beach

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References

  1. "The Story Of The 1981 Houston Astros". October 18, 2014.
  2. Don Sutton at Baseball Reference
  3. 1 2 "Chris Bourjos Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More". Baseball-Reference.com.
  4. Julio González at Baseball Reference
  5. Gary Rajsich at Baseball Reference
  6. David Clyde at Baseball Reference
  7. Joaquín Andújar at Baseball Reference
  8. "Eric Bullock Stats".
  9. "Big Days in Astros History – September 26, 1981 – Nolan Ryan pitches his fifth no-hitter". AstrosDaily.com. Retrieved November 15, 2014.