1986 Houston Astros season

1986  Houston Astros
National League West champions
League	National League
Division	West
Ballpark	The Astrodome
City	Houston, Texas
Record	96–66 (.593)
Divisional place	1st
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.

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+1⁄3 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, ^[a] 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 ^[b] and The Sporting News. ^[c]

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

• November 13, 1985: Mike Richardt was released by the Astros. ^[3]

Regular season

Summary

Opening Day starting lineup ^{[4] [5]}

9	Eric Bullock	LF
19	Bill Doran	2B
29	Denny Walling	3B
27	Glenn Davis	1B
6	Mark Bailey	C
17	Kevin Bass	RF
30	Tony Walker [d]	CF
10	Dickie Thon	SS
34	Nolan Ryan	P
Venue:	Astrodome • SFG 8,	HOU 3

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. ^[6]

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. ^[7]

Rest of season

• Kevin Bass authored a 20-game hitting streak during the season.
• Dave Smith set a club record with 33 saves in one 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] [9]} 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. ^[7] 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. ^[10]

Mike Scott, who led the major leagues in numerous categories, including a 2.22 earned run average (ERA) and 306 strikeouts, became the third Astros pitcher to lead the NL in ERA, following J. R. Richard (2.71 in 1979) and Ryan (1.69 in 1981). ^[11] Scott also joined Richard as the second Astros pitcher to lead the NL strikeouts (303 in 1978 and 313 in 1979) for the third 300-strikeout season overall by an Astros pitcher. ^[12] Hence, following J. R. Richard in 1979, Scott became the second Houston Astro to lead the league in two-thirds of the pitching Triple Crown. ^{[e] [13]}

Scott joined Niekro as the second Astro to be recognized with the The Sporting News NL Pitcher of the Year. ^[a]

Season standings

• v
• t
• e

NL West

Team	W	L	Pct.	GB	Home	Road
Houston Astros	96	66	.593	—	52‍–‍29	44‍–‍37
Cincinnati Reds	86	76	.531	10	43‍–‍38	43‍–‍38
San Francisco Giants	83	79	.512	13	46‍–‍35	37‍–‍44
San Diego Padres	74	88	.457	22	43‍–‍38	31‍–‍50
Los Angeles Dodgers	73	89	.451	23	46‍–‍35	27‍–‍54
Atlanta Braves	72	89	.447	23½	41‍–‍40	31‍–‍49

Record vs. opponents

1986 National League record v t e Sources:
Team	ATL	CHC	CIN	HOU	LAD	MTL	NYM	PHI	PIT	SD	SF	STL
Atlanta	—	9–3	6–12	5–13	10–8	4–7	4–8	4–8	5–7	12–6	7–11	6–6
Chicago	3–9	—	5–7	4–8	6–6	8–10	6–12	9–8	7–11	6–6	6–6	10–7
Cincinnati	12–6	7–5	—	4–14	10–8	7–5	4–8	7–5	10–2	9–9	9–9	7–5
Houston	13–5	8–4	14–4	—	10–8	8–4	5–7	6–6	6–6	10–8	9–9	7–5
Los Angeles	8–10	6–6	8–10	8–10	—	5–7	3–9	5–7	8–4	6–12	8–10	8–4
Montreal	7–4	10–8	5–7	4–8	5–7	—	8–10	8–10	11–7	4–8	5–7	9–9
New York	8–4	12–6	8–4	7–5	9–3	10–8	—	8–10	17–1	10–2	7–5	12–6
Philadelphia	8-4	8–9	5–7	6–6	7–5	10–8	10–8	—	11–7	6–6	9–3	6–12
Pittsburgh	7–5	11–7	2–10	6–6	4–8	7–11	1–17	7–11	—	8–4	4–8	7–11
San Diego	6–12	6–6	9–9	8–10	12–6	8–4	2–10	6–6	4–8	—	8–10	5–7
San Francisco	11–7	6–6	9–9	9–9	10–8	7–5	5–7	3–9	8–4	10–8	—	5–7
St. Louis	6–6	7–10	5–7	5–7	4–8	9–9	6–12	12–6	11–7	7–5	7–5	—

Notable transactions

• June 2, 1986: 1986 Major League Baseball draft
  • Ryan Bowen was drafted by the Astros in the 1st round. ^[14]
  • Karl Rhodes was drafted by the Astros in the 3rd round. Player signed June 10, 1986. ^[15]
  • Trenidad Hubbard was drafted by the Astros in the 12th round of the 1986 amateur draft. Player signed June 16, 1986. ^[16]
  • Ed Whited was drafted by the Houston Astros in the 18th round of the 1986 amateur draft. ^[17]
  • Eric Anthony was drafted by the Astros in the 34th round. Player signed June 7, 1986. ^[18]
• June 30, 1986: Matt Keough was signed as a free agent by the Astros. ^[19]

Roster

1986 Houston Astros
Roster
Pitchers 47 Larry Andersen 49 Jeff Calhoun 44 Danny Darwin 43 Jim Deshaies 11 Frank DiPino 42 Tom Funk 38 Manny Hernández 46 Matt Keough 37 Charlie Kerfeld 39 Bob Knepper 41 Mark Knudson 35 Aurelio López 53 Mike Madden 51 Rafael Montalvo 34 Nolan Ryan 33 Mike Scott 45 Dave Smith 52 Julio Solano		Catchers 14 Alan Ashby  6 Mark Bailey  4 John Mizerock  7 Robbie Wine Infielders 27 Glenn Davis 19 Bill Doran 23 Dan Driessen  3 Phil Garner 20 Jim Pankovits  1 Bert Peña  22 Rich Perez 12 Craig Reynolds 10 Dickie Thon 29 Denny Walling		Outfielders 17 Kevin Bass  9 Eric Bullock 25 José Cruz 24 Ty Gainey 28 Billy Hatcher 11 Davey Lopes 26 Louie Meadows 21 Terry Puhl 30 Tony Walker		Manager 22 Hal Lanier Coaches  8 Yogi Berra 48 Matt Galante 15 Denis Menke 55 Les Moss 18 Gene Tenace

Game log

Regular season

Legend
	Astros win
	Astros loss
	Postponement
	Clinched division
Bold	Astros team member

1986 regular season game log: 96–66 (Home: 52–29; Away: 44–37) [20]
April: 14–6 (Home: 6–4; Away: 8–2) # Date Time (CT) Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time of Game Attendance Record Box/ Streak 1 April 8 7:35 p.m. CST Giants L 3–8 Krukow (1–0) Ryan (0–1) Davis (1) 2:20 22,935 0–1 L1 2 April 9 7:35 p.m. CST Giants L 1–4 Garrelts (1–0) Scott (0–1) Minton (1) 2:33 6,875 0–2 L2 3 April 10 7:35 p.m. CST Giants W 4–0 Knepper (1–0) Blue (0–1) — 2:27 6,070 1–2 W1 4 April 11 7:35 p.m. CST Braves W 2–1 Kerfeld (1–0) Palmer (0–1) Smith (1) 2:14 9,357 2–2 W2 5 April 12 7:35 p.m. CST Braves W 4–3 Ryan (1–1) Mahler (1–1) Smith (2) 2:30 19,803 3–2 W3 6 April 13 2:05 p.m. CST Braves L 7–8 Johnson (1–0) Scott (0–2) Garber (1) 2:56 8,739 3–3 L1 7 April 15 3:05 p.m. CST @ Giants W 8–3 Knepper (2–0) Blue (0–2) Kerfeld (1) 3:01 46,638 4–3 W1 8 April 16 2:05 p.m. CST @ Giants W 4–1 Ryan (2–1) Mason (0–1) Smith (3) 2:45 3,590 5–3 W2 9 April 18 6:35 p.m. CST @ Reds W 6–4 Scott (1–2) Soto (1–1) Smith (4) 2:38 26,126 6–3 W1 10 April 19 1:15 p.m. CST @ Reds W 4–3 Knepper (3–0) Browning (0–1) Smith (5) 2:26 17,564 7–3 W2 11 April 20 1:15 p.m. CST @ Reds W 6–4 Madden (1–0) Gullickson (0–1) Kerfeld (2) 2:45 17,878 8–3 W3 12 April 21 6:40 p.m. CST @ Braves L 2–8 Johnson (2–0) Ryan (2–2) — 2:36 5,361 8–4 L1 13 April 22 6:40 p.m. CST @ Braves W 4–3 Kerfeld (2–0) Ward (0–1) — 2:18 6,316 9–4 W1 14 April 23 4:40 p.m. CST @ Braves W 3–2 Solano (1–0) Smith (1–1) Smith (6) 2:27 7,666 10–4 W2 15 April 24 7:35 p.m. CST Reds L 0–3 Soto (2–1) Madden (1–1) — 2:35 10,245 10–5 L1 16 April 25 7:35 p.m. CST Reds W 3–1 Ryan (3–2) Browning (0–2) — 2:07 16,296 11–5 W1 17 April 26 7:35 p.m. CST Reds W 1–0 Scott (2–2) Gullickson (0–2) — 2:06 38,442 12–5 W2 18 April 27 2:05 p.m. CDT Reds W 6–0 Knepper (4–0) Denny (1–2) — 2:06 12,185 13–5 W3 19 April 29 6:35 p.m. CDT @ Phillies L 4–12 Rawley (3–1) Ryan (3–3) — 2:48 16,313 13–6 L1 20 April 30 6:35 p.m. CDT @ Phillies W 1–0 Scott (3–2) Gross (1–3) Smith (7) 2:38 17,134 14–6 W1
May: 13–13 (Home: 6–6; Away: 7–7) # Date Time (CT) Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time of Game Attendance Record Box/ Streak 21 May 2 2:35 p.m. CDT @ Expos W 6–3 Knepper (5–0) Youmans (0–3) Smith (8) 2:38 6,781 15–6 W2 22 May 3 12:35 p.m. CDT @ Expos L 6–7 (10) Reardon (3–2) DiPino (0–1) — 3:45 11,769 15–7 L1 23 May 4 2:05 p.m. CDT @ Expos L 6–7 Reardon (4–2) Smith (0–1) — 3:01 13,810 15–8 L2 24 May 6 6:35 p.m. CDT @ Mets L 0–4 Gooden (5–0) Knepper (5–1) — 2:36 41,722 15–9 L3 25 May 7 6:35 p.m. CDT @ Mets L 2–3 Fernandez (4–0) Ryan (3–4) Orosco (6) 2:42 26,956 15–10 L4 26 May 9 6:35 p.m. CDT @ Pirates W 3–2 Kerfeld (3–0) Winn (1–1) Smith (9) 2:27 17,296 16–10 W1 27 May 10 6:05 p.m. CDT @ Pirates W 6–3 Knepper (6–1) Rhoden (2–2) DiPino (1) 2:56 13,344 17–10 W2 28 May 11 12:35 p.m. CDT @ Pirates L 3–4 (12) DeLeón (1–0) Kerfeld (3–1) — 3:39 13,170 17–11 L1 29 May 12 7:35 p.m. CDT Phillies L 1–5 Rawley (4–3) Deshaies (0–1) — 2:18 8,354 17–12 L1 30 May 13 7:35 p.m. CDT Phillies W 3–2 (11) Solano (2–0) Rucker (0–1) — 2:51 7,087 18–12 W1 31 May 14 7:35 p.m. CDT Mets W 6–2 Knepper (7–1) Ojeda (5–1) — 2:23 11,626 19–12 W2 32 May 15 7:35 p.m. CDT Mets L 2–6 Darling (4–0) Ryan (3–5) — 2:42 13,856 19–13 L1 33 May 16 7:35 p.m. CDT Cubs W 9–6 Solano (3–0) Baller (1–2) Smith (10) 2:50 17,802 20–13 W1 34 May 17 7:35 p.m. CDT Cubs W 5–1 Scott (4–2) Trout (2–1) — 2:40 37,483 21–13 W2 35 May 18 2:05 p.m. CDT Cubs L 2–5 Hoffman (1–1) Knepper (7–2) Smith (5) 3:02 14,483 21–14 L1 36 May 20 7:35 p.m. CDT Pirates L 2–4 Walk (2–0) Ryan (3–6) — 2:38 8,711 21–15 L2 37 May 21 7:35 p.m. CDT Pirates L 1–2 Rhoden (3–3) Scott (4–3) — 2:22 6,990 21–16 L3 38 May 22 3:35 p.m. CDT Pirates W 4–0 Knepper (8–2) Reuschel (3–4) — 2:29 4,784 22–16 W1 39 May 23 3:05 p.m. CDT @ Cubs L 1–4 Sutcliffe (2–6) Solano (3–1) — 2:23 20,532 22–17 L1 40 May 24 12:20 p.m. CDT @ Cubs L 3–4 Frazier (2–3) Smith (0–2) Smith (6) 2:50 33,355 22–18 L2 41 May 25 1:20 p.m. CDT @ Cubs W 3–1 (11) Kerfeld (4–1) Smith (0–2) Smith (11) 3:02 36,000 23–18 W1 42 May 26 5:35 p.m. CDT @ Cardinals W 4–1 Deshaies (1–1) Forsch (3–3) DiPino (2) 2:43 20,099 24–18 W2 43 May 27 7:35 p.m. CDT @ Cardinals W 5–4 Smith (1–2) Dayley (0–3) — 2:48 20,146 25–18 W3 44 May 28 12:35 p.m. CDT @ Cardinals W 4–3 (11) Kerfeld (5–1) Worrell (3–3) — 3:18 17,582 26–18 W4 45 May 30 7:35 p.m. CDT Expos L 0–1 Smith (4–4) Scott (4–4) Reardon (12) 2:14 13,854 26–19 L1 46 May 31 7:35 p.m. CDT Expos W 4–3 DiPino (1–1) Burke (2–1) Smith (12) 2:30 25,831 27–19 W1
June: 14–15 (Home: 9–6; Away: 5–9) # Date Time (CT) Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time of Game Attendance Record Box/ Streak 47 June 1 2:05 p.m. CDT Expos W 8–4 Knepper (9–2) Hesketh (3–4) — 2:38 13,325 28–19 W2 48 June 2 7:35 p.m. CDT Cardinals L 2–9 Tudor (5–3) Madden (1–2) — 2:45 11,669 28–20 L1 49 June 3 7:35 p.m. CDT Cardinals L 1–3 Mathews (1–0) Deshaies (1–2) Worrell (8) 2:20 6,430 28–21 L2 50 June 4 7:35 p.m. CDT Cardinals W 4–2 Scott (5–4) Burris (2–2) Smith (13) 2:33 11,396 29–21 W1 51 June 5 9:35 p.m. CDT @ Dodgers L 0–1 Honeycutt (3–3) Hernández (0–1) Howell (3) 2:25 32,545 29–22 L1 52 June 6 9:35 p.m. CDT @ Dodgers L 2–3 Howell (2–2) Knepper (9–3) — 2:52 38,991 29–23 L2 53 June 7 2:20 p.m. CDT @ Dodgers W 7–5 López (1–0) Howell (2–3) Smith (14) 3:27 32,902 30–23 W1 54 June 8 3:05 p.m. CDT @ Dodgers W 3–2 Scott (6–4) Valenzuela (8–4) Smith (15) 2:44 47,404 31–23 W2 55 June 9 9:05 p.m. CDT @ Padres W 5–3 Deshaies (2–2) Show (3–4) López (1) 2:42 19,167 32–23 W3 56 June 10 9:05 p.m. CDT @ Padres W 12–1 Knepper (10–3) Dravecky (5–6) — 2:31 13,966 33–23 W4 57 June 11 3:05 p.m. CDT @ Padres L 7–11 McCullers (2–1) DiPino (1–2) — 2:47 13,686 33–24 L1 58 June 12 7:35 p.m. CDT Giants W 4–1 Hernández (1–1) Krukow (8–4) Smith (16) 2:37 16,342 34–24 W1 59 June 13 7:35 p.m. CDT Giants L 1–3 Davis (2–3) Scott (6–5) — 2:22 23,352 34–25 L1 60 June 14 7:35 p.m. CDT Giants W 7–3 Deshaies (3–2) Mulholland (0–1) López (2) 2:48 32,477 35–25 W1 61 June 15 2:05 p.m. CDT Giants L 2–7 Blue (4–3) Knepper (10–4) — 2:56 22,958 35–26 L1 62 June 17 6:35 p.m. CDT @ Reds L 4–5 Welsh (2–1) Hernández (1–2) Franco (11) 2:33 16,824 35–27 L2 63 June 18 6:35 p.m. CDT @ Reds L 2–3 Robinson (5–0) Smith (1–3) — 2:20 17,426 35–28 L3 64 June 19 6:35 p.m. CDT @ Reds W 6–2 Deshaies (4–2) Soto (3–7) — 2:54 25,920 36–28 W1 65 June 20 10:05 p.m. CDT @ Giants 1–3 Blue (5–3) Knepper (10–5) Berenguer (2) 2:18 25,116 36–29 L1 66 June 21 3:05 p.m. CDT @ Giants 1–2 Garrelts (6–6) Knudson (0–1) Berenguer (3) 2:51 24,927 36–30 L2 67 (1) June 22 2:05 p.m. CDT @ Giants 2–4 Krukow (9–4) Hernández (1–3) — 2:22 N/A 36–31 L3 68 (2) June 22 5:02 p.m. CDT @ Giants 2–3 Berenguer (1–0) Smith (1–4) Hensley (1) 2:42 47,030 36–32 L4 69 June 23 7:35 p.m. CDT Reds W 7–6 Anderson (1–0) Power (3–5) — 2:57 12,953 37–32 W1 70 June 24 7:35 p.m. CDT Reds W 8–4 Ryan (4–6) Browning (5–7) — 2:44 17,487 38–32 W2 71 June 25 7:35 p.m. CDT Reds L 3–4 (10) Franco (1–4) López (1–1) — 3:00 13,313 38–33 L1 72 June 27 7:35 p.m. CDT Dodgers W 5–0 Scott (7–5) Reuss (2–6) — 2:06 25,760 39–33 W1 73 June 28 7:35 p.m. CDT Dodgers W 6–4 Deshaies (5–2) Welch (3–6) Aurelio López (3) 2:35 34,252 40–33 W2 74 June 29 2:05 p.m. CDT Dodgers W 2–1 Hernández (2–3) Valenzuela (10–5) DiPino (3) 2:23 32,723 41–33 W3 75 June 30 7:35 p.m. CDT Padres L 2–9 Dravecky (7–7) Knepper (10–6) — 2:22 11,141 41–34 L1
July: 16–11 (Home: 11–5; Away: 5–6) # Date Time (CT) Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time of Game Attendance Record Box/ Streak 76 July 1 7:35 p.m. CDT Padres L 4–7 Show (7–4) Knudson (0–2) Gossage (14) 2:46 13,866 41–35 L2 77 July 2 7:35 p.m. CDT Padres W 8–1 Scott (8–5) Hawkins (5–5) — 2:18 10,148 42–35 W1 78 July 3 6:35 p.m. CDT @ Mets L 5–6(10) Orosco (4–4) DiPino (1–3) — 3:08 48,839 42–36 L1 79 July 4 12:35 p.m. CDT @ Mets L 1–2 Gooden (10–3) Smith (1–5) — 2:39 28,557 42–37 L2 80 July 5 6:05 p.m. CDT @ Mets W 2–1 Kerfeld (6–1) McDowell (7–1) — 2:24 50,939 43–37 W1 81 July 6 12:35 p.m. CDT @ Mets L 3–5 Fernandez (11–2) Knudson (0–3) McDowell (8) 3:08 31,017 43–38 L1 82 July 7 6:35 p.m. CDT @ Expos W 12–1 Scott (9–5) Martínez (0–1) — 2:40 17,694 44–38 W1 83 July 8 6:35 p.m. CDT @ Expos W 4–1 Ryan (5–6) Tibbs (4–5) Kerfeld (3) 2:29 16,382 45–38 W2 84 July 9 6:05 p.m. CDT @ Expos L 1–2 Youmans (9–5) Knepper (10–7) — 2:08 15,316 45–39 L1 85 July 10 7:35 p.m. CDT Phillies W 11–4 Knudson (1–3) Hudson (4–9) — 2:39 18,289 46–39 W1 86 July 11 7:35 p.m. CDT Phillies L 1–4 Carman (4–2) Scott (9–6) Bedrosian (11) 2:22 18,047 46–40 L1 87 July 12 12:50 p.m. CDT Phillies W 4–3 Ryan (6–6) Rawley (11–5) Smith (17) 2:51 17,491 47–40 W1 88 July 13 2:05 p.m. CDT Phillies L 4–5 (11) Bedrosian (6–3) Smith (1–6) — 3:01 20,597 47–41 L1 — July 15 7:30 p.m. CDT 57th All-Star Game in Houston, TX 89 July 17 7:35 p.m. CDT Mets L 2–13 Ojeda (11–2) Ryan (6–7) — 3:10 21,536 47–42 L2 90 July 18 7:35 p.m. CDT Mets W 3–0 Knepper (11–7) Darling (9–3) — 2:25 22,906 48–42 W1 91 July 19 7:35 p.m. CDT Mets W 5–4 Smith (2–6) McDowell (7–3) — 2:38 44,502 49–42 W2 92 July 20 2:05 p.m. CDT Mets W 9–8(15) Knepper (12–7) McDowell (7–4) — 5:29 23,900 50–42 W3 93 July 21 7:35 p.m. CDT Expos W 8–7 Kerfeld (7–1) Reardon (6–5) — 3:03 13,753 51–42 W4 94 July 22 7:35 p.m. CDT Expos W 1–0 (10) Smith (3–6) Youmans (10–6) — 2:43 19,271 52–42 W5 95 July 23 7:35 p.m. CDT Expos W 4–3 (11) López (2–1) Burke (7–4) — 3:07 15,364 53–42 W6 96 July 24 6:35 p.m. CDT @ Phillies W 9–3 Scott (10–6) Rawley (11–7) — 2:37 31,094 54–42 W7 97 July 25 6:35 p.m. CDT @ Phillies L 2–4 Hudson (6–9) Deshaies (5–3) Bedrosian (13) 2:28 23,387 54–43 L1 98 July 26 6:05 p.m. CDT @ Phillies L 2–3 Carman (5–2) Knudson (1–4) Schatzeder (2) 2:24 34,075 54–44 L2 99 July 27 12:35 p.m. CDT @ Phillies W 3–2 Ryan (7–7) Gross (6–8) López (4) 2:14 33,192 55–44 W1 100 July 28 7:35 p.m. CDT Braves W 4–2 Knepper (13–7) Alexander (6–7) Smith (18) 2:19 24,597 56–44 W2 101 July 29 7:35 p.m. CDT Braves L 0–1 Palmer (7–8) Scott (10–7) Garber (13) 2:31 26,610 56–45 L1 102 July 30 7:35 p.m. CDT Braves W 4–2 Deshaies (6–3) Acker (3–5) Smith (19) 2:50 34,102 57–45 W3
August: 16–12 (Home: 8–4; Away: 8–8) # Date Time (CT) Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time of Game Attendance Record Box/ Streak 103 August 1 9:05 p.m. CDT @ Padres W 6–3 Knepper (14–7) Hoyt (5–7) Smith (20) 2:39 22,108 58–45 W2 104 August 2 9:05 p.m. CDT @ Padres W 5–4 Scott (11–7) Show (7–5) Smith (21) 2:40 28,612 59–45 W3 105 August 3 3:05 p.m. CDT @ Padres L 1–5 Hawkins (8–7) Knudson (1–5) Gossage (18) 2:20 21,850 59–46 L1 106 August 4 7:05 p.m. CDT @ Dodgers L 3–7 Valenzuela (15–6) Kerfeld (7–2) — 2:54 32,182 59–47 L2 107 August 5 9:35 p.m. CDT @ Dodgers W 10–2 López (3–1) Howell (4–7) Smith (22) 3:21 45,525 60–47 W1 108 August 6 3:05 p.m. CDT @ Dodgers L 4–7 Honeycutt (8–6) Keough (2–3) Neidenfuer (7) 3:06 40,709 60–48 L1 109 August 8 7:35 p.m. CDT Padres W 5–0 Scott (12–7) McCullers (5–6) — 2:15 31,142 61–48 W1 110 August 9 7:35 p.m. CDT Padres W 6–2 Deshaies (7–3) Hawkins (8–8) Kerfeld (4) 2:28 38,169 62–48 W2 111 August 10 2:05 p.m. CDT Padres L 3–5 Dravecky (8–9) Knepper (14–8) Gossage (19) 2:30 20,839 62–49 L1 112 August 11 7:05 p.m. CDT Dodgers W 7–6 Smith (4–6) Howell (4–8) — 3:31 23,206 63–49 W1 113 August 12 7:35 p.m. CDT Dodgers W 3–0 Ryan (8–7) Honeycutt (8–7) Kerfeld (5) 2:25 37,973 64–49 W2 114 August 13 7:35 p.m. CDT Dodgers L 3–5 Hershiser (12–8) Scott (12–8) Niedenfuer (8) 2:40 33,327 64–50 L1 115 August 14 7:35 p.m. CDT Dodgers W 3–2 Andersen (2–0) Valenzuela (15–8) Smith (23) 2:15 42,118 65–50 W1 116 August 15 6:40 p.m. CDT @ Braves W 3–0 Knepper (15–8) Acker (4–6) — 2:14 26,625 66–50 W2 117 August 16 6:40 p.m. CDT @ Braves W 7–4 Keough (3–3) Mahler (11–12) Smith (24) 2:43 31,862 67–50 W3 118 August 17 1:10 p.m. CDT @ Braves L 3–4 Speck (2–0) Andersen (2–1) Garber (18) 2:54 17,618 67–51 L1 119 August 18 6:35 p.m. CDT @ Pirates W 3–0 Scott (13–8) Walk (5–7) — 2:24 7,965 68–51 W1 120 August 19 6:35 p.m. CDT @ Pirates W 1–0 Deshaies (8–3) Bielecki (6–9) Smith (25) 2:31 9,128 69–51 W2 121 August 20 6:35 p.m. CDT @ Pirates L 1–4 Rhoden (14–7) Knepper (15–9) — 2:12 16,997 69–52 L1 122 August 22 7:35 p.m. CDT @ Cardinals L 5–6 Tudor (13–6) Ryan (8–8) Worrell (28) 2:44 33,918 69–53 L2 123 August 23 7:05 p.m. CDT @ Cardinals L 1–7 Cox (8–10) Scott (13–9) — 2:28 40,944 69–54 L3 124 August 24 1:15 p.m. CDT @ Cardinals W 5–1 Deshaies (9–3) Conroy (3–8) López (5) 2:50 33,687 70–54 W1 125 August 25 7:35 p.m. CDT Cubs W 3–2 Kerfeld (8–2) Smith (8–8) Smith (26) 2:40 24,211 71–54 W2 126 August 26 7:35 p.m. CDT Cubs L 3–5 Lynch (4–3) Darwin (6–9) Smith (25) 2:33 22,579 71–55 L1 127 August 27 7:35 p.m. CDT Cubs W 7–1 Ryan (9–8) oyer (5–4) Kerfeld (6) 2:39 24,198 72–55 W1 128 August 29 7:35 p.m. CDT Pirates W 3–2 Scott (14–9) Reuschel (8–15) Smith (27) 2:37 22,801 73–55 W2 129 August 30 7:35 p.m. CDT Pirates L 3–13 Rhoden (15–7) Deshaies (9–4) — 2:46 30,598 73–56 L1 130 August 31 2:05 p.m. CDT Pirates L 2–8 Walk (7–7) Knepper (15–10) — 2:17 25,405 73–57 L2
September: 18–9 (Home: 9–3; Away: 9–6) # Date Time (CT) Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time of Game Attendance Record Box/ Streak 131 September 1 1:20 p.m. CDT @ Cubs W 6–4 Darwin (7–9) Lynch (4–4) Smith (28) 3:01 25,547 74–57 W1 132 September 2 3:05 p.m. CDT @ Cubs W 8–7 (18) Darwin (8–9) Maddux (0–1) — 5:14 10,501 75–57 W2 133 September 3 1:20 p.m. CDT @ Cubs W 8–2 Scott (15–9) Sanderson (7–11) — 2:48 7,051 76–57 W3 134 September 5 7:35 p.m. CDT Cardinals L 5–8 Soff (2–0) López (3–2) — 2:50 23,547 76–58 L1 135 September 6 7:35 p.m. CDT Cardinals W 7–6 Kerfeld (9–2) Worrell (8–10) — 2:58 21,802 77–58 W1 136 September 7 2:05 p.m. CDT Cardinals W 6–3 Calhoun (1–0) Mathews (10–5) Smith (29) 2:50 20,773 78–58 W2 137 September 8 7:35 p.m. CDT Reds W 3–1 Ryan (10–8) Welsh (5–6) Kerfeld (7) 2:26 26,997 79–58 W3 138 September 9 7:35 p.m. CDT Reds W 9–2 Scott (16–9) Browning (12–12) — 2:11 22,711 80–58 W4 139 September 10 9:35 p.m. CDT @ Dodgers L 1–5 Hershiser (13–10) Deshaies (9–5) — 2:56 27,534 80–59 L1 140 September 11 9:35 p.m. CDT @ Dodgers L 6–14 Valenzuela (19–9) Knepper (15–11) — 2:51 34,816 80–60 L2 141 September 12 9:05 p.m. CDT @ Padres W 5–3 Kerfeld (10–2) McCullers (8–8) Smith (30) 2:35 11,319 81–60 W1 142 September 13 9:05 p.m. CDT @ Padres L 3–4 Lefferts (8–7) Smith (4–7) — 2:42 32,729 81–61 L1 143 September 14 3:05 p.m. CDT @ Padres L 2–3 Lefferts (9–7) Scott (16–10) — 2:35 13,279 81–62 L2 144 September 16 6:35 p.m. CDT @ Reds W 6–1 Knepper (16–11) Gullickson (13–11) Andersen (1) 2:34 16,927 82–62 W1 145 September 17 6:35 p.m. CDT @ Reds W 6–1 Darwin (9–9) Welsh (6–7) — 2:26 15,195 83–62 W2 146 September 18 11:35 a.m. CDT @ Reds W 5–3 Keough (4–3) Browning (13–13) López (6) 2:16 11,825 84–62 W3 147 September 19 7:35 p.m. CDT Padres W 5–4 Kerfeld (11–2) LaPoint (4–9) Smith (31) 2:47 23,805 85–62 W4 148 September 20 7:35 p.m. CDT Padres W 10–6 Scott (17–10) Hayward (0–1) — 2:33 36,878 86–62 W5 149 September 21 2:05 p.m. CDT Padres L 0–5 Jones (1–0) Knepper (16–12) — 2:24 23,385 86–63 L1 150 September 22 7:35 p.m. CDT Dodgers L 2–9 Valenzuela (20–10) Darwin (9–10) — 2:35 27,641 86–64 L2 151 September 23 7:35 p.m. CDT Dodgers W 4–0 Deshaies (10–5) Powell (2–7) — 2:44 27,734 87–64 W1 152 September 24 7:35 p.m. CDT Giants W 6–0 Ryan (11–8) LaCoss (10–13) — 2:39 37,611 88–64 W2 153 September 25 3:35 p.m. CDT Giants W 2–0 Scott (18–10) Berenguer (2–3) — 2:24 32,808 89–64 W3 154 September 26 6:40 p.m. CDT @ Braves L 4–5 Alexander (11–10) Keough (4–4) Smith (1) 2:15 6,754 89–65 L1 155 September 27 1:20 p.m. CDT @ Braves W 4–0 Darwin (10–10) Palmer (11–10) — 2:22 13,545 90–65 W1 156 September 28 1:10 p.m. CDT @ Braves W 2–0 Deshaies (11–5) Acker (5–11) Smith (32) 2:22 6,280 91–65 W2 157 September 30 9:35 p.m. CDT @ Giants L 5–6 Davis (5–7) López (3–3) — 2:34 13,358 91–66 L1
October: 5–0 (Home: 3–0; Away: 2–0) # Date Time (CT) Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time of Game Attendance Record Box/ Streak 158 October 1 2:05 p.m. CDT @ Giants W 5–0 Darwin (11–10) Krukow (19–9) — 2:41 9,881 92–66 W1 159 October 2 3:05 p.m. CDT @ Giants W 2–1 Keough (5–4) Robinson (6–3) Smith (33) 3:07 8,656 93–66 W2 160 October 3 7:35 p.m. CDT Braves W 6–2 Ryan (12–8) Acker (5–12) — 2:22 25,068 94–66 W3 161 October 4 1:20 p.m. CDT Braves W 3–2 Deshaies (12–5) Smith (8–16) López (7) 2:18 17,314 95–66 W4 162 October 5 2:05 p.m. CDT Braves W 4–1 Knepper (17–12) Mahler (14–18) — 1:50 37,531 96–66 W5

Detailed records

National League Opponent W L WP RS RA NL East Chicago Cubs Montreal Expos New York Mets 5 7 0.417 40 54 Philadelphia Phillies Pittsburgh Pirates St. Louis Cardinals Div Total NL West Atlanta Braves Cincinnati Reds Houston Astros Los Angeles Dodgers San Diego Padres San Francisco Giants Div Total Season Total

Month Games Won Lost Win % RS RA April May June July August September October Total Games Won Lost Win % RS RA Home Away Total

Postseason Game log

Legend
	Astros win
	Astros loss
	Postponement
Bold	Astros 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) [21] # Date Time (CT) Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time of Game Attendance Series Box/ Streak 1 October 8 7:25 p.m. CDT Mets W 1–0 Scott (1–0) Gooden (0–1) — 2:56 44,131 HOU 1–0 W1 2 October 9 7:20 p.m. CDT Mets L 1–5 Ojeda (1–0) Ryan (0–1) — 2:40 44,391 Tied 1–1 L1 3 October 11 11:10 a.m. CDT @ Mets L 5–6 Orosco (1–0) Smith (0–1) — 2:55 55,052 NYN 2–1 L2 4 October 12 7:20 p.m. CDT @ Mets W 3–1 Scott (2–0) Fernandez (0–1) — 2:23 55,038 Tied 2–2 W1 — October 13 2:05 p.m. CDT @ Mets Postponed (Rain)(Makeup date: October 14) 5 October 14 12:05 p.m. CDT @ Mets L 1–2(12) Orosco (2–0) Kerfeld (0–1) — 3:45 54,986 NYN 3–2 L1 6 October 15 2:05 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

Pos	Player	G	AB	H	Avg.	HR	RBI
C	Alan Ashby	120	315	81	.257	7	38
1B	Glenn Davis	158	574	152	.265	31	101
2B	Bill Doran	145	550	152	.276	6	37
SS	Craig Reynolds	114	313	78	.249	6	41
3B	Denny Walling	130	382	119	.312	13	58
LF	José Cruz	141	479	133	.278	10	72
CF	Billy Hatcher	127	419	108	.258	6	36
RF	Kevin Bass	157	591	184	.311	20	79

Other batters

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

Player	G	AB	H	Avg.	HR	RBI
Phil Garner	107	313	83	.265	9	41
Dickie Thon	106	278	69	.248	3	21
Terry Puhl	81	172	42	.244	3	14
Mark Bailey	57	153	27	.176	4	15
Jim Pankovits	70	113	32	.283	1	7
Davey Lopes	37	98	23	.235	1	13
Tony Walker	84	90	20	.222	2	10
John Mizerock	44	81	15	.185	1	6
Ty Gainey	26	50	15	.300	1	6
Bert Peña	15	29	6	.207	0	2
Dan Driessen	17	24	7	.292	1	3
Eric Bullock	6	21	1	.048	0	1
Robbie Wine	9	12	3	.250	0	0
Louie Meadows	6	6	2	.333	0	0

Pitching

Starting pitchers

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

Player	G	IP	W	L	ERA	SO
Mike Scott	37	275.1	18	10	2.22	306
Bob Knepper	40	258.0	17	12	3.14	143
Nolan Ryan	30	178.0	12	8	3.34	194
Jim Deshaies	26	144.0	12	5	3.25	128
Mark Knudson	9	42.2	1	5	4.22	20

Other pitchers

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

Player	G	IP	W	L	ERA	SO
Danny Darwin	12	54.1	5	2	2.32	40
Mike Madden	13	39.2	1	2	4.08	30
Matt Keough	10	35.0	3	2	3.09	25
Manny Hernández	9	27.2	2	3	3.90	9

Relief pitchers

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

Player	G	IP	W	L	SV	ERA	SO
Dave Smith	54	56.0	4	7	33	2.73	46
Charlie Kerfeld	61	93.2	11	2	7	2.59	77
Aurelio López	45	78.0	3	3	7	3.46	44
Larry Andersen	38	64.2	2	1	1	2.78	33
Frank DiPino	41	40.1	1	3	3	3.57	27
Julio Solano	16	32.0	3	1	0	7.59	21
Jeff Calhoun	20	26.2	1	0	0	3.71	14
Tom Funk	8	8.1	0	0	0	6.48	2
Rafael Montalvo	1	1.0	0	0	0	9.00	0

National League Championship Series

Main article: 1986 National League Championship Series

Game 1

October 8 (Astrodome, Houston, Texas)

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
New York	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	5	0
Houston	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	X	1	7	1
WP: Mike Scott (1–0)  LP: Dwight Gooden (0–1)
HR: NYM– None.; HOU– Glenn Davis (1)

Game 2

October 9 (Astrodome, Houston, Texas)

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
New York	0	0	0	2	3	0	0	0	0	5	10	0
Houston	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	1	10	2
WP: Bob Ojeda (1–0)  LP: Nolan Ryan (0–1)
HR: NYM– None.; HOU– None.

Game 3

October 11 (Shea Stadium, Flushing, New York)

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Houston	2	2	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	5	8	1
New York	0	0	0	0	0	4	0	0	2	6	10	1
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)

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Houston	0	2	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	3	4	1
New York	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	1	3	0
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)

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	R	H	E
Houston	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	9	1
New York	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	2	4	0
WP: Jesse Orosco (2–0)  LP: Charlie Kerfeld (0–1)
HRs: HOU– None. NYM– Darryl Strawberry (2)

Game 6

October 15 (Astrodome, Houston, Texas)

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	R	H	E
New York	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	0	0	0	0	1	0	3	7	11	0
Houston	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	2	6	11	1
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

• Associated Press (AP) Manager of the Year: Hal Lanier
• Cy Young Award: Mike Scott
• MLB All-Star Game
  • Kevin Bass, outfielder, reserve
  • Glenn Davis, first baseman, reserve
  • Mike Scott, starting pitcher, reserve
  • Dave Smith, relief pitcher, reserve
• National League Championship Series Most Valuable Player (NLCS MVP): Mike Scott
• NL Manager of the Year (BBWAA): Hal Lanier
• NL Player of the Month ^[22] —June: Kevin Bass
• NL Player of the Week, ^[23]
  • April 20—Phil Garner
  • June 26—Kevin Bass
  • September 28—Mike Scott
• Silver Slugger Award at first base: Glenn Davis
• The Sporting News NL Manager of the Year: ^{[c] [24]} Hal Lanier
• The Sporting News NL Pitcher of the Year: ^{[a] [25]}
• The Sporting News ^[26] NL All-Star—P: Mike Scott

Pitching achievements

300 strikeout club

Player	K	W–L	ERA	K/9
Mike Scott	309	18–10	2.22	10.0

NL batting leaders Hit by pitch: Glenn Davis (8) cWPA (6.0): Glenn Davis Caught stealing (19): Bill Doran

NL pitching leaders Earned run average (ERA): Mike Scott (2.22) Strikeouts: Mike Scott (306) Shutouts: Bob Knepper & Mike Scott (5—tied) Walks plus hits per inning pitched (WHIP): Mike Scott (0.923) Wild pitches: Nolan Ryan (15) WPA/LI: Mike Scott (6.5) Wins above replacement (WAR): Mike Scott (8.2)

NL fielding leaders

• Total Zone Runs as RF (13): Kevin Bass
• Total Zone Runs as LF (7): José Cruz

Minor league system

See also: Minor League Baseball

Level	Team	League	Manager
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

• Texas portal
• Baseball portal

• 300 strikeout club
• List of Major League Baseball annual ERA leaders
• List of Major League Baseball annual shutout leaders
• List of Major League Baseball annual strikeout leaders
• List of Major League Baseball no-hitters
• List of Major League Baseball single-inning strikeout leaders

References

Footnotes

1. From its inception in 1944 until 2012, The Sporting News recognized one pitcher each from the NL and the American League (AL) for this award. Beginning in 2013, the award was redesignated to recognize one starting pitcher and relief pitcher from each league.
2. Recognized one Manager of the Year for each of the NL and the American League (AL).
3. 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.
4. Major league debut.
5. Composed of leading the league in each of wins, strikeouts and ERA.

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. ^[8]

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. "San Francisco Giants (8) vs Houston Astros (3) box score". Baseball Almanac . April 8, 1986. Retrieved September 24, 2025.
5. "1986 Houston Astros uniform numbers". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 24, 2025.
6. Schwarzberg, Seth (June 23, 2025). "Today in Astros history - June 23". The Crawfish Boxes. SB Nation . Retrieved June 24, 2025.
7. 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.
8. "Marlins' López fans first 9, sets MLB record". MLB.com. July 11, 2021. Retrieved August 26, 2025.
9. "Los Angeles Dodgers at Houston Astros box score". Baseball-Reference.com . September 23, 1986. Retrieved August 18, 2025.
10. 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
11. "Yearly league leaders & records for earned run average". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 15, 2025.
12. "Yearly league leaders & records for strikeouts". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 15, 2025.
13. "Triple Crown of pitching". Baseball Almanac. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
14. Ryan Bowen at Baseball-Reference
15. Karl "Tuffy" Rhodes at Baseball-Reference
16. "Trent Hubbard Stats".
17. "Ed Whited: Career Statistics". Baseball Reference. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
18. Eric Anthony at Baseball-Reference
19. Matt Keough at Baseball-Reference
20. "1986 Houston Astros Schedule & Results". Baseball Reference . Retrieved May 4, 2025.
21. "1986 National League Championship Series". Baseball Reference . Retrieved May 4, 2025.
22. "Major League Baseball Players of the Month". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 30, 2025.
23. "MLB Players of the Week Awards". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 9, 2025.
24. "Manager of the Year Award by The Sporting News". Baseball Almanac. Retrieved September 15, 2025.
25. "The Sporting News Pitchers of the Year & The Sporting News Major League Players of the Year". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 30, 2025.
26. "Mike Scott stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 10, 2025.

External links

• 1986 Houston Astros at Baseball Reference
• 1986 Astros team at baseball-almanac.com