1986 Houston Astros season

Last updated

1986  Houston Astros
National League West champions
League National League
Division West
Ballpark The Astrodome
City Houston, Texas
Record96–66 (.593)
Divisional place1st
Owners John McMullen
General managers Dick Wagner
Managers Hal Lanier
Television KTXH–TV 20
(Gene Elston, Milo Hamilton, Larry Dierker)
HSE
(Gene Elston, Milo Hamilton, Larry Dierker, Bill Worrell)
Radio KTRH–AM 740
(Gene Elston, Milo Hamilton, Larry Dierker, Jerry Trupiano)
  1985 Seasons 1987  

The 1986 Houston Astros season was the 25th season for the Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise located in Houston, Texas, their 22nd as the Astros, 25th in the National League (NL), 18th in the NL West division, and 22nd at The Astrodome. The Astros entered the season as having tied for third place in the NL West, with an 83–79 record and 12 games behind the division-champion Los Angeles Dodgers.

Contents

The 1986 season was the first for Hal Lanier as manager, the tenth in Astros' franchise history, succeeding Bob Lillis. On April 8, pitcher Nolan Ryan made his third Opening Day start for the Astros, who hosted the San Francisco Giants but were defeated, 8–3. During the amateur draft, the Astros selected pitcher Ryan Bowen in the first round at 13th overall, outfielder Tuffy Rhodes in the third round, and outfielder Eric Anthony in the 34th round.

The Astros hosted the MLB All-Star Game at The Astrodome for the second time, and first time since 1968. Right fielder Kevin Bass, first baseman Glenn Davis, and pitchers Mike Scott and Dave Smith each represented the Astros at the All-Star Game and played for the National League. [Note 1]

On September 25, Scott hurled the eighth no-hitter in franchise history to lead a 2–0 win over the San Francisco Giants, which simultaneously clinched the NL West division title. This was the first no-hitter thrown that secured a playoff spot in the major leagues since 1951. Scott led the National League in numerous categories, including a 2.22 earned run average (ERA), 306 strikeouts, 5.9 hits per nine innings, and 275+13 innings pitched, among others, and posted an 18–10 win–loss record (W–L).

The Astros concluded their regular season with a 96–66 record. For the third time in franchise history, Houston won the NL West division, also their third playoff appearance, all over the past seven seasons. At the time, the 96 wins set a new franchise record, surpassing their 93–69 mark in 1980, and stood until their first 100-win season in 1998. This was their final division title as members of the National League West and final playoff appearance until 1997. The Astros played the New York Mets in the National League Championship Series (NLCS), only to be defeated 4 games to 2, while the Mets were the eventual World Series champions. Scott, who pitched two complete games and allowed just 1 run for an 0.50 ERA, became the first NLCS Most Valuable Player Award (MVP) winner of the losing team.

Following the season, Scott became the first-ever Cy Young Award winner for Houston, won the The Sporting News NL Pitcher of the Year, Davis won his first career Silver Slugger Award, and Lanier was recognized as Manager of the Year by each of the Associated Press (AP), BBWAA [a] and The Sporting News. [b]

Offseason

Summary

On November 5, 1985, the Astros announced the hiring of Hal Lanier as manager for his first occasion to assume the role at the major league level, replacing Bob Lillis. Lanier was a former major league infielder and had subsequently coached in the St. Louis Cardinals' minor league system, including winning The Sporting News Minor League Manager of the Year Award in 1980, prior to coaching for the Cardinals at the major league level. Lanier also announced that he would select New York Yankees Hall of Fame catcher Yogi Berra to the coaching staff. Other candidates that general manager Dick Wagner had considered included Joe Torre, Dave Bristol, Billy Gardner, and Jim Leyland. [1]

Prior to the 1986 season, Sports Illustrated released a ranking of all major league teams and had assessed the Astros as the 22nd best team in the league. [2]

Transactions

Regular season

Summary

Opening Day tarting lineup

On June 23, Glenn Davis hit a two-run, walk-off home run to complete a 7–6 comeback versus the Cincinncati Reds in the ninth inning. In the top of the ninth, Larry Andersen was the winner without a single batter faced; rather, on a wild pitch, the runner on third base sprinted home. Andersen tagged the runner out for the final out of the Reds' 9th inning at bat. [4]

All-Star Game

The 1986 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 57th playing of the midsummer classic between the all-stars of the American League (AL) and National League (NL), the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was held on July 15, 1986, at the Astrodome in Houston, Texas, the home of the Astros. The game resulted in the American League defeating the National League 3–2. AL starting pitcher and Boston Red Sox ace Roger Clemens, who later pitched for Houston from 2004 to 2006, was named the All-Star Game Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award winner. [5]

Rest of season

From September 23–25, the Astros put on display one of the great three-day pitching masterpieces in major league history. On September 23, Jim Deshaies set a major league record by commencing the game with 8 consecutive strikeouts of the Los Angeles Dodgers, which led a 4–0 shutout. [Note 2] [7] The following day, Nolan Ryan hurled eight shutout innings with 12 strikeouts of the San Francisco Giants. Finally, on September 25, Mike Scott threw a no-hitter against the Giants to lead the Astros, which simultaneously clinched the National League West division title. [5] The final score was 2–0 and Scott struck out 13 Giants batters. He became the first pitcher in National League history and the second overall to throw a no-hitter which clinched a playoff berth. The first was by Allie Reynolds, whose no-hitter on September 18, 1951, clinched the American League pennant for the New York Yankees. [8]

Season standings

NL West
Team W L Pct. GB Home Road
Houston Astros 9666.59352294437
Cincinnati Reds 8676.5311043384338
San Francisco Giants 8379.5121346353744
San Diego Padres 7488.4572243383150
Los Angeles Dodgers 7389.4512346352754
Atlanta Braves 7289.44723½41403149

Record vs. opponents


Sources:
TeamATLCHCCINHOULADMTLNYMPHIPITSDSFSTL
Atlanta 9–36–125–1310–84–74–84–85–712–67–116–6
Chicago 3–95–74–86–68–106–129–87–116–66–610–7
Cincinnati 12–67–54–1410–87–54–87–510–29–99–97–5
Houston 13–58–414–410–88–45–76–66–610–89–97–5
Los Angeles 8–106–68–108–105–73–95–78–46–128–108–4
Montreal 7–410–85–74–85–78–108–1011–74–85–79–9
New York 8–412–68–47–59–310–88–1017–110–27–512–6
Philadelphia 8-48–95–76–67–510–810–811–76–69–36–12
Pittsburgh 7–511–72–106–64–87–111–177–118–44–87–11
San Diego 6–126–69–98–1012–68–42–106–64–88–105–7
San Francisco 11–76–69–99–910–87–55–73–98–410–85–7
St. Louis 6–67–105–75–74–89–96–1212–611–77–57–5

Notable transactions

Roster

1986 Houston Astros
Roster
PitchersCatchers

Infielders

OutfieldersManager

Coaches

Game log

Regular season

Legend
 Astros win
 Astros loss
 Postponement
 Clinched division
BoldAstros team member
1986 regular season game log: 96–66 (Home: 52–29; Away: 44–37) [15]
April: 14–6 (Home: 6–4; Away: 8–2)
#DateTime (CT)OpponentScoreWinLossSaveTime of GameAttendanceRecordBox/
Streak
1 April 87:35 p.m. CST Giants L 3–8 Krukow (1–0) Ryan (0–1) Davis (1)2:2022,9350–1 L1
2 April 97:35 p.m. CST Giants L 1–4 Garrelts (1–0) Scott (0–1) Minton (1)2:336,8750–2 L2
3 April 107:35 p.m. CST Giants W 4–0 Knepper (1–0) Blue (0–1)2:276,0701–2 W1
4 April 117:35 p.m. CST Braves W 2–1 Kerfeld (1–0) Palmer (0–1) Smith (1)2:149,3572–2 W2
5 April 127:35 p.m. CST Braves W 4–3 Ryan (1–1) Mahler (1–1) Smith (2)2:3019,8033–2 W3
6 April 132:05 p.m. CST Braves L 7–8 Johnson (1–0) Scott (0–2) Garber (1)2:568,7393–3 L1
7 April 153:05 p.m. CST @ Giants W 8–3 Knepper (2–0) Blue (0–2) Kerfeld (1)3:0146,6384–3 W1
8 April 162:05 p.m. CST @ Giants W 4–1 Ryan (2–1) Mason (0–1) Smith (3)2:453,5905–3 W2
9 April 186:35 p.m. CST @ Reds W 6–4 Scott (1–2) Soto (1–1) Smith (4)2:3826,1266–3 W1
10 April 191:15 p.m. CST @ Reds W 4–3 Knepper (3–0) Browning (0–1) Smith (5)2:2617,5647–3 W2
11 April 201:15 p.m. CST @ Reds W 6–4 Madden (1–0) Gullickson (0–1) Kerfeld (2)2:4517,8788–3 W3
12 April 216:40 p.m. CST @ Braves L 2–8 Johnson (2–0) Ryan (2–2)2:365,3618–4 L1
13 April 226:40 p.m. CST @ Braves W 4–3 Kerfeld (2–0) Ward (0–1)2:186,3169–4 W1
14 April 234:40 p.m. CST @ Braves W 3–2 Solano (1–0) Smith (1–1) Smith (6)2:277,66610–4 W2
15 April 247:35 p.m. CST Reds L 0–3 Soto (2–1) Madden (1–1)2:3510,24510–5 L1
16 April 257:35 p.m. CST Reds W 3–1 Ryan (3–2) Browning (0–2)2:0716,29611–5 W1
17 April 267:35 p.m. CST Reds W 1–0 Scott (2–2) Gullickson (0–2)2:0638,44212–5 W2
18 April 272:05 p.m. CDT Reds W 6–0 Knepper (4–0) Denny (1–2)2:0612,18513–5 W3
19 April 296:35 p.m. CDT @ Phillies L 4–12 Rawley (3–1) Ryan (3–3)2:4816,31313–6 L1
20 April 306:35 p.m. CDT @ Phillies W 1–0 Scott (3–2) Gross (1–3) Smith (7)2:3817,13414–6 W1
May: 13–13 (Home: 6–6; Away: 7–7)
#DateTime (CT)OpponentScoreWinLossSaveTime of GameAttendanceRecordBox/
Streak
21 May 22:35 p.m. CDT @ Expos W 6–3 Knepper (5–0) Youmans (0–3) Smith (8)2:386,78115–6 W2
22 May 312:35 p.m. CDT @ Expos L 6–7 (10) Reardon (3–2) DiPino (0–1)3:4511,76915–7 L1
23 May 42:05 p.m. CDT @ Expos L 6–7 Reardon (4–2) Smith (0–1)3:0113,81015–8 L2
24 May 66:35 p.m. CDT @ Mets L 0–4 Gooden (5–0) Knepper (5–1)2:36 41,722 15–9 L3
25 May 76:35 p.m. CDT @ Mets L 2–3 Fernandez (4–0) Ryan (3–4) Orosco (6)2:42 26,956 15–10 L4
26 May 96:35 p.m. CDT @ Pirates W 3–2 Kerfeld (3–0) Winn (1–1) Smith (9)2:2717,29616–10 W1
27 May 106:05 p.m. CDT @ Pirates W 6–3 Knepper (6–1) Rhoden (2–2) DiPino (1)2:5613,34417–10 W2
28 May 1112:35 p.m. CDT @ Pirates L 3–4 (12) DeLeón (1–0) Kerfeld (3–1)3:3913,17017–11 L1
29 May 127:35 p.m. CDT Phillies L 1–5 Rawley (4–3) Deshaies (0–1)2:188,35417–12 L1
30 May 137:35 p.m. CDT Phillies W 3–2 (11) Solano (2–0) Rucker (0–1)2:517,08718–12 W1
31 May 147:35 p.m. CDT Mets W 6–2 Knepper (7–1) Ojeda (5–1)2:23 11,626 19–12 W2
32 May 157:35 p.m. CDT Mets L 2–6 Darling (4–0) Ryan (3–5)2:42 13,856 19–13 L1
33 May 167:35 p.m. CDT Cubs W 9–6 Solano (3–0) Baller (1–2) Smith (10)2:5017,80220–13 W1
34 May 177:35 p.m. CDT Cubs W 5–1 Scott (4–2) Trout (2–1)2:4037,48321–13 W2
35 May 182:05 p.m. CDT Cubs L 2–5 Hoffman (1–1) Knepper (7–2) Smith (5)3:0214,48321–14 L1
36 May 207:35 p.m. CDT Pirates L 2–4 Walk (2–0) Ryan (3–6)2:388,71121–15 L2
37 May 217:35 p.m. CDT Pirates L 1–2 Rhoden (3–3) Scott (4–3)2:226,99021–16 L3
38 May 223:35 p.m. CDT Pirates W 4–0 Knepper (8–2) Reuschel (3–4)2:294,78422–16 W1
39 May 233:05 p.m. CDT @ Cubs L 1–4 Sutcliffe (2–6) Solano (3–1)2:2320,53222–17 L1
40 May 2412:20 p.m. CDT @ Cubs L 3–4 Frazier (2–3) Smith (0–2) Smith (6)2:5033,35522–18 L2
41 May 251:20 p.m. CDT @ Cubs W 3–1 (11) Kerfeld (4–1) Smith (0–2) Smith (11)3:0236,00023–18 W1
42 May 265:35 p.m. CDT @ Cardinals W 4–1 Deshaies (1–1) Forsch (3–3) DiPino (2)2:4320,09924–18 W2
43 May 277:35 p.m. CDT @ Cardinals W 5–4 Smith (1–2) Dayley (0–3)2:4820,14625–18 W3
44 May 2812:35 p.m. CDT @ Cardinals W 4–3 (11) Kerfeld (5–1) Worrell (3–3)3:1817,58226–18 W4
45 May 307:35 p.m. CDT Expos L 0–1 Smith (4–4) Scott (4–4) Reardon (12)2:1413,85426–19 L1
46 May 317:35 p.m. CDT Expos W 4–3 DiPino (1–1) Burke (2–1) Smith (12)2:3025,83127–19 W1
June: 14–15 (Home: 9–6; Away: 5–9)
#DateTime (CT)OpponentScoreWinLossSaveTime of GameAttendanceRecordBox/
Streak
47 June 12:05 p.m. CDT Expos W 8–4 Knepper (9–2) Hesketh (3–4)2:3813,32528–19 W2
48 June 27:35 p.m. CDT Cardinals L 2–9 Tudor (5–3) Madden (1–2)2:4511,66928–20 L1
49 June 37:35 p.m. CDT Cardinals L 1–3 Mathews (1–0) Deshaies (1–2) Worrell (8)2:206,43028–21 L2
50 June 47:35 p.m. CDT Cardinals W 4–2 Scott (5–4) Burris (2–2) Smith (13)2:3311,39629–21 W1
51 June 59:35 p.m. CDT @ Dodgers L 0–1 Honeycutt (3–3) Hernández (0–1) Howell (3)2:2532,54529–22 L1
52 June 69:35 p.m. CDT @ Dodgers L 2–3 Howell (2–2) Knepper (9–3)2:5238,99129–23 L2
53 June 72:20 p.m. CDT @ Dodgers W 7–5 López (1–0) Howell (2–3) Smith (14)3:2732,90230–23 W1
54 June 83:05 p.m. CDT @ Dodgers W 3–2 Scott (6–4) Valenzuela (8–4) Smith (15)2:4447,40431–23 W2
55 June 99:05 p.m. CDT @ Padres W 5–3 Deshaies (2–2) Show (3–4) López (1)2:4219,16732–23 W3
56 June 109:05 p.m. CDT @ Padres W 12–1 Knepper (10–3) Dravecky (5–6)2:3113,96633–23 W4
57 June 113:05 p.m. CDT @ Padres L 7–11 McCullers (2–1) DiPino (1–2)2:4713,68633–24 L1
58 June 127:35 p.m. CDT Giants W 4–1 Hernández (1–1) Krukow (8–4) Smith (16)2:3716,34234–24 W1
59 June 137:35 p.m. CDT Giants L 1–3 Davis (2–3) Scott (6–5)2:2223,35234–25 L1
60 June 147:35 p.m. CDT Giants W 7–3 Deshaies (3–2) Mulholland (0–1) López (2)2:4832,47735–25 W1
61 June 152:05 p.m. CDT Giants L 2–7 Blue (4–3) Knepper (10–4)2:5622,95835–26 L1
62 June 176:35 p.m. CDT @ Reds L 4–5 Welsh (2–1) Hernández (1–2) Franco (11)2:3316,82435–27 L2
63 June 186:35 p.m. CDT @ Reds L 2–3 Robinson (5–0) Smith (1–3)2:2017,42635–28 L3
64 June 196:35 p.m. CDT @ Reds W 6–2 Deshaies (4–2) Soto (3–7)2:5425,92036–28 W1
65 June 2010:05 p.m. CDT @ Giants 1–3 Blue (5–3) Knepper (10–5) Berenguer (2)2:1825,11636–29 L1
66 June 213:05 p.m. CDT @ Giants 1–2 Garrelts (6–6) Knudson (0–1) Berenguer (3)2:5124,92736–30 L2
67 (1)June 222:05 p.m. CDT @ Giants 2–4 Krukow (9–4) Hernández (1–3)2:22N/A36–31 L3
68 (2)June 225:02 p.m. CDT @ Giants 2–3 Berenguer (1–0) Smith (1–4) Hensley (1)2:4247,03036–32 L4
69 June 237:35 p.m. CDT Reds W 7–6 Anderson (1–0) Power (3–5)2:5712,95337–32 W1
70 June 247:35 p.m. CDT Reds W 8–4 Ryan (4–6) Browning (5–7)2:4417,48738–32 W2
71 June 257:35 p.m. CDT Reds L 3–4 (10) Franco (1–4) López (1–1)3:0013,31338–33 L1
72 June 277:35 p.m. CDT Dodgers W 5–0 Scott (7–5) Reuss (2–6)2:0625,76039–33 W1
73 June 287:35 p.m. CDT Dodgers W 6–4 Deshaies (5–2) Welch (3–6) Aurelio López (3)2:3534,25240–33 W2
74 June 292:05 p.m. CDT Dodgers W 2–1 Hernández (2–3) Valenzuela (10–5) DiPino (3)2:2332,72341–33 W3
75 June 307:35 p.m. CDT Padres L 2–9 Dravecky (7–7) Knepper (10–6)2:2211,14141–34 L1
July: 16–11 (Home: 11–5; Away: 5–6)
#DateTime (CT)OpponentScoreWinLossSaveTime of GameAttendanceRecordBox/
Streak
76 July 17:35 p.m. CDT Padres L 4–7 Show (7–4) Knudson (0–2) Gossage (14)2:4613,86641–35 L2
77 July 27:35 p.m. CDT Padres W 8–1 Scott (8–5) Hawkins (5–5)2:1810,14842–35 W1
78 July 36:35 p.m. CDT @ Mets L 5–6(10) Orosco (4–4) DiPino (1–3)3:08 48,839 42–36 L1
79 July 412:35 p.m. CDT @ Mets L 1–2 Gooden (10–3) Smith (1–5)2:39 28,557 42–37 L2
80 July 56:05 p.m. CDT @ Mets W 2–1 Kerfeld (6–1) McDowell (7–1)2:24 50,939 43–37 W1
81 July 612:35 p.m. CDT @ Mets L 3–5 Fernandez (11–2) Knudson (0–3) McDowell (8)3:08 31,017 43–38 L1
82 July 76:35 p.m. CDT @ Expos W 12–1 Scott (9–5) Martínez (0–1)2:4017,69444–38 W1
83 July 86:35 p.m. CDT @ Expos W 4–1 Ryan (5–6) Tibbs (4–5) Kerfeld (3)2:2916,38245–38 W2
84 July 96:05 p.m. CDT @ Expos L 1–2 Youmans (9–5) Knepper (10–7)2:0815,31645–39 L1
85 July 107:35 p.m. CDT Phillies W 11–4 Knudson (1–3) Hudson (4–9)2:3918,28946–39 W1
86 July 117:35 p.m. CDT Phillies L 1–4 Carman (4–2) Scott (9–6) Bedrosian (11)2:2218,04746–40 L1
87 July 1212:50 p.m. CDT Phillies W 4–3 Ryan (6–6) Rawley (11–5) Smith (17)2:5117,49147–40 W1
88 July 132:05 p.m. CDT Phillies L 4–5 (11) Bedrosian (6–3) Smith (1–6)3:0120,59747–41 L1
July 157:30 p.m. CDT 57th All-Star Game in Houston, TX
89 July 177:35 p.m. CDT Mets L 2–13 Ojeda (11–2) Ryan (6–7)3:10 21,536 47–42 L2
90 July 187:35 p.m. CDT Mets W 3–0 Knepper (11–7) Darling (9–3)2:25 22,906 48–42 W1
91 July 197:35 p.m. CDT Mets W 5–4 Smith (2–6) McDowell (7–3)2:38 44,502 49–42 W2
92 July 202:05 p.m. CDT Mets W 9–8(15) Knepper (12–7) McDowell (7–4)5:29 23,900 50–42 W3
93 July 217:35 p.m. CDT Expos W 8–7 Kerfeld (7–1) Reardon (6–5)3:0313,75351–42 W4
94 July 227:35 p.m. CDT Expos W 1–0 (10) Smith (3–6) Youmans (10–6)2:4319,27152–42 W5
95 July 237:35 p.m. CDT Expos W 4–3 (11) López (2–1) Burke (7–4)3:0715,36453–42 W6
96 July 246:35 p.m. CDT @ Phillies W 9–3 Scott (10–6) Rawley (11–7)2:3731,09454–42 W7
97 July 256:35 p.m. CDT @ Phillies L 2–4 Hudson (6–9) Deshaies (5–3) Bedrosian (13)2:2823,38754–43 L1
98 July 266:05 p.m. CDT @ Phillies L 2–3 Carman (5–2) Knudson (1–4) Schatzeder (2)2:2434,07554–44 L2
99 July 2712:35 p.m. CDT @ Phillies W 3–2 Ryan (7–7) Gross (6–8) López (4)2:1433,19255–44 W1
100 July 287:35 p.m. CDT Braves W 4–2 Knepper (13–7) Alexander (6–7) Smith (18)2:1924,59756–44 W2
101 July 297:35 p.m. CDT Braves L 0–1 Palmer (7–8) Scott (10–7) Garber (13)2:3126,61056–45 L1
102 July 307:35 p.m. CDT Braves W 4–2 Deshaies (6–3) Acker (3–5) Smith (19)2:5034,10257–45 W3
August: 16–12 (Home: 8–4; Away: 8–8)
#DateTime (CT)OpponentScoreWinLossSaveTime of GameAttendanceRecordBox/
Streak
103 August 19:05 p.m. CDT @ Padres W 6–3 Knepper (14–7) Hoyt (5–7) Smith (20)2:3922,10858–45 W2
104 August 29:05 p.m. CDT @ Padres W 5–4 Scott (11–7) Show (7–5) Smith (21)2:4028,61259–45 W3
105 August 33:05 p.m. CDT @ Padres L 1–5 Hawkins (8–7) Knudson (1–5) Gossage (18)2:2021,85059–46 L1
106 August 47:05 p.m. CDT @ Dodgers L 3–7 Valenzuela (15–6) Kerfeld (7–2)2:5432,18259–47 L2
107 August 59:35 p.m. CDT @ Dodgers W 10–2 López (3–1) Howell (4–7) Smith (22)3:2145,52560–47 W1
108 August 63:05 p.m. CDT @ Dodgers L 4–7 Honeycutt (8–6) Keough (2–3) Neidenfuer (7)3:0640,70960–48 L1
109 August 87:35 p.m. CDT Padres W 5–0 Scott (12–7) McCullers (5–6)2:1531,14261–48 W1
110 August 97:35 p.m. CDT Padres W 6–2 Deshaies (7–3) Hawkins (8–8) Kerfeld (4)2:2838,16962–48 W2
111 August 102:05 p.m. CDT Padres L 3–5 Dravecky (8–9) Knepper (14–8) Gossage (19)2:3020,83962–49 L1
112 August 117:05 p.m. CDT Dodgers W 7–6 Smith (4–6) Howell (4–8)3:3123,20663–49 W1
113 August 127:35 p.m. CDT Dodgers W 3–0 Ryan (8–7) Honeycutt (8–7) Kerfeld (5)2:2537,97364–49 W2
114 August 137:35 p.m. CDT Dodgers L 3–5 Hershiser (12–8) Scott (12–8) Niedenfuer (8)2:4033,32764–50 L1
115 August 147:35 p.m. CDT Dodgers W 3–2 Andersen (2–0) Valenzuela (15–8) Smith (23)2:1542,11865–50 W1
116 August 156:40 p.m. CDT @ Braves W 3–0 Knepper (15–8) Acker (4–6)2:1426,62566–50 W2
117 August 166:40 p.m. CDT @ Braves W 7–4 Keough (3–3) Mahler (11–12) Smith (24)2:4331,86267–50 W3
118 August 171:10 p.m. CDT @ Braves L 3–4 Speck (2–0) Andersen (2–1) Garber (18)2:5417,61867–51 L1
119 August 186:35 p.m. CDT @ Pirates W 3–0 Scott (13–8) Walk (5–7)2:247,96568–51 W1
120 August 196:35 p.m. CDT @ Pirates W 1–0 Deshaies (8–3) Bielecki (6–9) Smith (25)2:319,12869–51 W2
121 August 206:35 p.m. CDT @ Pirates L 1–4 Rhoden (14–7) Knepper (15–9)2:1216,99769–52 L1
122 August 227:35 p.m. CDT @ Cardinals L 5–6 Tudor (13–6) Ryan (8–8) Worrell (28)2:4433,91869–53 L2
123 August 237:05 p.m. CDT @ Cardinals L 1–7 Cox (8–10) Scott (13–9)2:2840,94469–54 L3
124 August 241:15 p.m. CDT @ Cardinals W 5–1 Deshaies (9–3) Conroy (3–8) López (5)2:5033,68770–54 W1
125 August 257:35 p.m. CDT Cubs W 3–2 Kerfeld (8–2) Smith (8–8) Smith (26)2:4024,21171–54 W2
126 August 267:35 p.m. CDT Cubs L 3–5 Lynch (4–3) Darwin (6–9) Smith (25)2:3322,57971–55 L1
127 August 277:35 p.m. CDT Cubs W 7–1 Ryan (9–8) oyer (5–4) Kerfeld (6)2:3924,19872–55 W1
128 August 297:35 p.m. CDT Pirates W 3–2 Scott (14–9) Reuschel (8–15) Smith (27)2:3722,80173–55 W2
129 August 307:35 p.m. CDT Pirates L 3–13 Rhoden (15–7) Deshaies (9–4)2:4630,59873–56 L1
130 August 312:05 p.m. CDT Pirates L 2–8 Walk (7–7) Knepper (15–10)2:1725,40573–57 L2
September: 18–9 (Home: 9–3; Away: 9–6)
#DateTime (CT)OpponentScoreWinLossSaveTime of GameAttendanceRecordBox/
Streak
131 September 11:20 p.m. CDT @ Cubs W 6–4 Darwin (7–9) Lynch (4–4) Smith (28)3:0125,54774–57 W1
132 September 23:05 p.m. CDT @ Cubs W 8–7 (18) Darwin (8–9) Maddux (0–1)5:1410,50175–57 W2
133 September 31:20 p.m. CDT @ Cubs W 8–2 Scott (15–9) Sanderson (7–11)2:487,05176–57 W3
134 September 57:35 p.m. CDT Cardinals L 5–8 Soff (2–0) López (3–2)2:5023,54776–58 L1
135 September 67:35 p.m. CDT Cardinals W 7–6 Kerfeld (9–2) Worrell (8–10)2:5821,80277–58 W1
136 September 72:05 p.m. CDT Cardinals W 6–3 Calhoun (1–0) Mathews (10–5) Smith (29)2:5020,77378–58 W2
137 September 87:35 p.m. CDT Reds W 3–1 Ryan (10–8) Welsh (5–6) Kerfeld (7)2:2626,99779–58 W3
138 September 97:35 p.m. CDT Reds W 9–2 Scott (16–9) Browning (12–12)2:1122,71180–58 W4
139 September 109:35 p.m. CDT @ Dodgers L 1–5 Hershiser (13–10) Deshaies (9–5)2:5627,53480–59 L1
140 September 119:35 p.m. CDT @ Dodgers L 6–14 Valenzuela (19–9) Knepper (15–11)2:5134,81680–60 L2
141 September 129:05 p.m. CDT @ Padres W 5–3 Kerfeld (10–2) McCullers (8–8) Smith (30)2:3511,31981–60 W1
142 September 139:05 p.m. CDT @ Padres L 3–4 Lefferts (8–7) Smith (4–7)2:4232,72981–61 L1
143 September 143:05 p.m. CDT @ Padres L 2–3 Lefferts (9–7) Scott (16–10)2:3513,27981–62 L2
144 September 166:35 p.m. CDT @ Reds W 6–1 Knepper (16–11) Gullickson (13–11) Andersen (1)2:3416,92782–62 W1
145 September 176:35 p.m. CDT @ Reds W 6–1 Darwin (9–9) Welsh (6–7)2:2615,19583–62 W2
146 September 1811:35 a.m. CDT @ Reds W 5–3 Keough (4–3) Browning (13–13) López (6)2:1611,82584–62 W3
147 September 197:35 p.m. CDT Padres W 5–4 Kerfeld (11–2) LaPoint (4–9) Smith (31)2:4723,80585–62 W4
148 September 207:35 p.m. CDT Padres W 10–6 Scott (17–10) Hayward (0–1)2:3336,87886–62 W5
149 September 212:05 p.m. CDT Padres L 0–5 Jones (1–0) Knepper (16–12)2:2423,38586–63 L1
150 September 227:35 p.m. CDT Dodgers L 2–9 Valenzuela (20–10) Darwin (9–10)2:3527,64186–64 L2
151 September 237:35 p.m. CDT Dodgers W 4–0 Deshaies (10–5) Powell (2–7)2:4427,73487–64 W1
152 September 247:35 p.m. CDT Giants W 6–0 Ryan (11–8) LaCoss (10–13)2:3937,61188–64 W2
153 September 253:35 p.m. CDT Giants W 2–0 Scott (18–10) Berenguer (2–3)2:2432,80889–64 W3
154 September 266:40 p.m. CDT @ Braves L 4–5 Alexander (11–10) Keough (4–4) Smith (1)2:156,75489–65 L1
155 September 271:20 p.m. CDT @ Braves W 4–0 Darwin (10–10) Palmer (11–10)2:2213,54590–65 W1
156 September 281:10 p.m. CDT @ Braves W 2–0 Deshaies (11–5) Acker (5–11) Smith (32)2:226,28091–65 W2
157 September 309:35 p.m. CDT @ Giants L 5–6 Davis (5–7) López (3–3)2:3413,35891–66 L1
October: 5–0 (Home: 3–0; Away: 2–0)
#DateTime (CT)OpponentScoreWinLossSaveTime of GameAttendanceRecordBox/
Streak
158 October 12:05 p.m. CDT @ Giants W 5–0 Darwin (11–10) Krukow (19–9)2:419,88192–66 W1
159 October 23:05 p.m. CDT @ Giants W 2–1 Keough (5–4) Robinson (6–3) Smith (33)3:078,65693–66 W2
160 October 37:35 p.m. CDT Braves W 6–2 Ryan (12–8) Acker (5–12)2:2225,06894–66 W3
161 October 41:20 p.m. CDT Braves W 3–2 Deshaies (12–5) Smith (8–16) López (7)2:1817,31495–66 W4
162 October 52:05 p.m. CDT Braves W 4–1 Knepper (17–12) Mahler (14–18)1:5037,53196–66 W5

Detailed records

Postseason Game log

Legend
 Astros win
 Astros loss
 Postponement
BoldAstros team member
1986 Postseason game log: 2–4 (Home: 1–2; Away: 1–2)
NL Championship Series: vs. New York Mets 2–4 (Home: 1–2; Away: 1–2) [16]
#DateTime (CT)OpponentScoreWinLossSaveTime of GameAttendanceSeriesBox/
Streak
1 October 87:25 p.m. CDT Mets W 1–0 Scott (1–0) Gooden (0–1)2:56 44,131 HOU 1–0 W1
2 October 97:20 p.m. CDT Mets L 1–5 Ojeda (1–0) Ryan (0–1)2:40 44,391 Tied 1–1 L1
3 October 1111:10 a.m. CDT @ Mets L 5–6 Orosco (1–0) Smith (0–1)2:55 55,052 NYN 2–1 L2
4 October 127:20 p.m. CDT @ Mets W 3–1 Scott (2–0) Fernandez (0–1)2:23 55,038 Tied 2–2 W1
October 132:05 p.m. CDT @ Mets Postponed (Rain)(Makeup date: October 14)
5 October 1412:05 p.m. CDT @ Mets L 1–2(12) Orosco (2–0) Kerfeld (0–1)3:45 54,986 NYN 3–2 L1
6 October 152:05 p.m. CDT Mets L 5–6(16) Orosco (3–0) López (0–1)4:42 45,718 NYN 4–2 L2

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 12031581.257738
1B Glenn Davis 158574152.26531101
2B Bill Doran 145550152.276637
SS Craig Reynolds 11431378.249641
3B Denny Walling 130382119.3121358
LF José Cruz 141479133.2781072
CF Billy Hatcher 127419108.258636
RF Kevin Bass 157591184.3112079

Other batters

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

PlayerGABHAvg.HRRBI
Phil Garner 10731383.265941
Dickie Thon 10627869.248321
Terry Puhl 8117242.244314
Mark Bailey 5715327.176415
Jim Pankovits 7011332.28317
Davey Lopes 379823.235113
Tony Walker 849020.222210
John Mizerock 448115.18516
Ty Gainey 265015.30016
Bert Peña 15296.20702
Dan Driessen 17247.29213
Eric Bullock 6211.04801
Robbie Wine 9123.25000
Louie Meadows 662.33300

Pitching

Starting pitchers

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

PlayerGIPWLERASO
Mike Scott 37275.118102.22306
Bob Knepper 40258.017123.14143
Nolan Ryan 30178.01283.34194
Jim Deshaies 26144.01253.25128
Mark Knudson 942.2154.2220

Other pitchers

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

PlayerGIPWLERASO
Danny Darwin 1254.1522.3240
Mike Madden 1339.2124.0830
Matt Keough 1035.0323.0925
Manny Hernández 927.2233.909

Relief pitchers

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

PlayerGIPWLSVERASO
Dave Smith 5456.047332.7346
Charlie Kerfeld 6193.211272.5977
Aurelio López 4578.03373.4644
Larry Andersen 3864.22112.7833
Frank DiPino 4140.11333.5727
Julio Solano 1632.03107.5921
Jeff Calhoun 2026.21003.7114
Tom Funk 88.10006.482
Rafael Montalvo 11.00009.000

National League Championship Series

Game 1

October 8 (Astrodome, Houston, Texas)

Team123456789RHE
New York000000000050
Houston01000000X171
WP: Mike Scott (1–0)  LP: Dwight Gooden (0–1)
HR: NYM None.; HOU Glenn Davis (1)

Game 2

October 9 (Astrodome, Houston, Texas)

Team123456789RHE
New York0002300005100
Houston0000001001102
WP: Bob Ojeda (1–0)  LP: Nolan Ryan (0–1)
HR: NYM None.; HOU None.

Game 3

October 11 (Shea Stadium, Flushing, New York)

Team123456789RHE
Houston220000100581
New York0000040026101
WP: Jesse Orosco (1–0)  LP: Dave Smith (0–1)
HR: HOU Bill Doran (1); NYM Darryl Strawberry (1), Lenny Dykstra (1)

Game 4

October 12 (Shea Stadium, Flushing, New York)

Team123456789RHE
Houston020010000341
New York000000010130
WP: Mike Scott (2–0)  LP: Sid Fernandez (0–1)
HR: HOU Alan Ashby (1), Dickie Thon (1); NYM None.

Game 5

October 14 (Shea Stadium, Flushing, New York)

Team123456789101112RHE
Houston000010000000191
New York000010000001240
WP: Jesse Orosco (2–0)  LP: Charlie Kerfeld (0–1)
HRs: HOU None. NYM Darryl Strawberry (2)

Game 6

October 15 (Astrodome, Houston, Texas)

Team12345678910111213141516RHE
New York00000000300001037110
Houston30000000000001026111
WP: Jesse Orosco (3–0)  LP: Aurelio López (0–1)
HRs: NYM None. HOU Billy Hatcher (1)

Game 6 of the 1986 NLCS still ranks as one of the most memorable baseball games of the 1980s, if not baseball (and certainly baseball postseason) history. Played at The Astrodome, the game went 16 innings with the Mets coming out on top 7–6. It was the highest scoring game of the series; in fact, the 16th inning alone featured more runs than three of the previous five games had in their entirety.

The big story of Game 6 was that it was most nearly a must-win for both teams. The Astros obviously had to have it because they were facing elimination. Even though they were up 3–2 in the series, the Mets regarded it as a must-win because they were scheduled to face Mike Scott again in Game 7. Scott had given up a grand total of 1 run in his first two starts of the series, and had dominated the Mets so completely that even the most optimistic Mets fans knew their chances of beating him in a potential Game 7 were small. The end result was one of the greatest games in baseball history.

The Astros broke through first, and for a low scoring series like this, they broke through big, scoring three runs off a possibly tired Bob Ojeda in the bottom of the first. Ojeda settled down after that, however, and the Astros wouldn't score again for the next 12 innings. Meanwhile, Astros starter Bob Knepper was brilliant from the very first pitch, and the game headed to the 9th with Houston still seemingly comfortably ahead 3–0.

Just when it looked like the Mets would have to face the mighty Scott, however, their bats suddenly came to life. After pitching almost perfectly for the first eight innings, Knepper clearly tired in the 9th. Starting with a Lenny Dykstra lead off triple that barely evaded the glove of Hatcher in right center field, Knepper allowed three hits and recorded only one out, and left with the Astros clinging to a 3–2 lead.

The decision by Lanier not to bring in Smith to start the inning was talked about for years to come. Smith was firmly established as one of the best closers in the National League, but he had blown a save earlier in the series, taking both the blown save and the loss in Game 3 thanks to Dykstra's walkoff homer.

When Smith finally did appear, he was ineffective, walking two batters to load the bases and then allowing the tying run to score on a sacrifice fly by Ray Knight. In a matter of minutes, the previously raucous crowd of 45,718 had been almost completely silenced and extra innings had soon begun.

In the 14th, the Mets made their first bid to win. After Gary Carter opened with a single, a walk to Darryl Strawberry put two runners on with nobody out. After Knight forced Carter at third, Wally Backman drove a single to right. When Kevin Bass' throw to the plate sailed high over Alan Ashby's head to the screen, Strawberry scored. It looked like the end for the Astros, as Orosco came in to close them down.

With one out in the bottom of the 14th and the Houston fans with their heads in their hands, Billy Hatcher shocked everyone with a line drive home run off the left field foul pole. It was the first earned run allowed by the Mets bullpen in the entire series. Hatcher went 3 for 7 in the game, and his homer meant the Astros would be kept alive for at least one more inning. Both teams failed to score in the 15th, and the game went to the 16th inning, the most innings in playoff history at that time.

The 16th inning would be the deciding factor, and it was not an easy 16th for either pitching staff. The Mets appeared to take control of the game once again, this time coming up with 3 runs in the top half of the inning. The rally began with Strawberry receiving a gift double when Billy Hatcher and Bill Doran misplayed his towering fly ball with one out. When Knight followed with a single to right, a poor throw to the plate by Kevin Bass allowed the tiebreaking run to score, just as it had in the 14th. A walk, two wild pitches, and a single by Lenny Dykstra brought in two more runs, putting the Mets up 7–4. This sent some of the Houston faithful for the exits; those who stayed, however, almost witnessed the unthinkable.

Orosco struck out Craig Reynolds to open the inning, but a walk and two singles later, Houston had a run in and the tying run on base. Orosco induced Denny Walling to hit into a force play at second for the second out, but Glenn Davis singled home another run, bringing the Astros within a run. People everywhere were quiet as they watched Orosco face right fielder Kevin Bass with two outs and the tying run on second, and the winning run on first.

It was all up to Bass to drive in a run and tie the game. Orosco threw Bass six straight sliders; when Bass swung and missed the last of them, the epic series was over. Orosco was awarded the victory, marking the first time in postseason history a reliever won three games in a series. It would be a long winter for the Astros, but for the Mets, an even bigger trial awaited them. After taking two days off to recover from the exhausting series against Houston, the Mets began a legendary World Series against the Boston Red Sox, a series in which they would pull off one of the greatest comebacks of all time.

The Mets had won the series with a .189 batting average, the lowest average recorded by a winning team in a postseason series. Their pitching had been the key.

Awards and achievements

Awards
Pitching achievements
300 strikeout club
PlayerKW–LERAK/9
Mike Scott 30918–102.2210.0
NL fielding leaders

Minor league system

LevelTeamLeagueManager
AAA Tucson Toros Pacific Coast League Carlos Alfonso
AA Columbus Astros Southern League Dave Cripe, Chuck Taylor and Gary Tuck
A Osceola Astros Florida State League Tom Wiedenbauer
A Asheville Tourists South Atlantic League Ken Bolek
A-Short Season Auburn Astros New York–Penn League Keith Bodie
Rookie GCL Astros Gulf Coast League Julio Linares

LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Columbus

See also

References

Footnotes
  1. Recognized one Manager of the Year for each of the NL and the American League (AL).
  2. 1 2 Beginning in 1986, The Sporting News presented one award each in both the NL and the American League (AL). From 1938–1985, one award had been presented for all of MLB.
  1. It was the first time since 1979 that the Astros sent as many as four representatives to the MLB All-Star Game.
  2. Deshaies' feat was equaled by Jacob deGrom on September 14, 2014, and Germán Márquez on September 26, 2018. The record was later broken on July 11, 2021, by Pablo López, with the Miami Marlins. [6]
Sources
  1. Thomas Jr., Robert Mcg. (November 6, 1985). "Hal Lanier is Astros manager". The New York Times . Retrieved August 30, 2025.
  2. SI Staff (April 14, 1986). "22 HOUSTON ASTROS". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on March 20, 2023. Retrieved August 30, 2025.
  3. "Mike Richardt stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more". Baseball-Reference.com . Retrieved August 30, 2025.
  4. Schwarzberg, Seth (June 23, 2025). "Today in Astros history - June 23". The Crawfish Boxes. SB Nation . Retrieved June 24, 2025.
  5. 1 2 de Luna, Marcy (April 9, 2020). "Iconic Astrodome made its grand debut 55 years ago, became 'Eighth Wonder of the World'". Houston Chronicle . Retrieved August 18, 2025.
  6. "Marlins' López fans first 9, sets MLB record". MLB.com. July 11, 2021. Retrieved August 26, 2025.
  7. "Los Angeles Dodgers at Houston Astros box score". Baseball-Reference.com . September 23, 1986. Retrieved August 18, 2025.
  8. Great Baseball Feats, Facts and Figures, 2008 Edition, p.142, David Nemec and Scott Flatow, A Signet Book, Penguin Group, New York, ISBN   978-0-451-22363-0
  9. Ryan Bowen at Baseball-Reference
  10. Karl "Tuffy" Rhodes at Baseball-Reference
  11. "Trent Hubbard Stats".
  12. "Ed Whited: Career Statistics". Baseball Reference. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
  13. Eric Anthony at Baseball-Reference
  14. Matt Keough at Baseball-Reference
  15. "1986 Houston Astros Schedule & Results". Baseball Reference . Retrieved May 4, 2025.
  16. "1986 National League Championship Series". Baseball Reference . Retrieved May 4, 2025.
  17. "Major League Baseball Players of the Month". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 30, 2025.
  18. "MLB Players of the Week Awards". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 9, 2025.