1998 Houston Astros season

Last updated

1998  Houston Astros
National League Central champions
League National League
Division Central
Ballpark Astrodome
City Houston, Texas
Record102–60 (.630)
Divisional place1st
Owners Drayton McLane, Jr.
General managers Gerry Hunsicker
Managers Larry Dierker
Television KNWS-TV 51
(Bill Brown, Milo Hamilton, Jim Deshaies)
Fox Sports Southwest
(Bill Brown, Milo Hamilton, Jim Deshaies, Bill Worrell)
Radio KILT–AM 610
(Milo Hamilton, Alan Ashby)
KXYZ–AM 1320
(Francisco Ernesto Ruiz, Alex Treviño)
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The 1998 Houston Astros season was the 37th season for the Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise located in Houston, Texas, their 34th as the Astros, 37th in the National League (NL), fifth in the NL Central division, and 34th at The Astrodome. The Astros entered the season having captured their first-ever NL Central division crown with an 84–78 record and fourth division title overall; however, their season ended in a National League Division Series (NLDS) sweep by the Atlanta Braves.

Contents

On April 5, pitcher Shane Reynolds made his third consecutive Opening Day start for the Astros, who hosted the San Francisco Giants and won, 9–4. In the amateur draft, the Astros' first round selection was pitcher Brad Lidge at 17th overall, and in the ninth round, they chose third baseman Morgan Ensberg.

Left fielder Moisés Alou and second baseman Craig Biggio both represented the Astros at the MLB All-Star Game, playing for the National League. It was the third career selection for Alou, and seventh for Biggio. Minutes before the trade deadline on July 31, the Astros acquired Randy Johnson from the Seattle Mariners, winning 10 of his 11 starts, including 4 shutouts.

On September 14, the Astros clinched the NL Central division title via defeat of the Chicago Cubs, the eventual NL Central runners-up and NL Wild Card winners. The following day, Biggio became the first Astro to collect 200 hits in a season.

On the strength of a club-record 102 wins—their first-ever season with at least 100—the Astros rocketed to a second consecutive NL Central division title and trip to the playoffs. Their next 100-win season occurred in 2017, while this record for most wins remained until the following year. Their fifth division title overall and fifth playoff appearance, it was the first time since 1980–1981 when Houston occupied the NL West that they won consecutive division titles. In their second-to-last season at the Astrodome, the team drew a then-club record 2.45 million fans.

In the National League Division Series (NLDS), the Astros were defeated in four games by the San Diego Padres, the NL pennant winners. Through this point, the Astros still had never won a playoff round, which remained so until 2004.

Following the season, Alou (second) and Biggio (fifth) each received Silver Slugger Awards. Larry Dierker won NL Manager of the Year, the second Astro to win this award. For The Sporting News Executive of the Year, general manager Gerry Hunsicker was named the winner, also the second Astro to receive this award. Alou finished third in the NL Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award voting, while Biggio ranked fifth.

Offseason

Regular season

Summary

An error in the ninth inning on June 14 by Cincinnati Reds shortstop Barry Larkin allowed the Astros to tie the game. Houston proceeded to score five more runs, resulting in a 6–3 win in the tenth inning. [2]

Facing a 5–3 deficit going into the ninth inning on June 17, Jeff Bagwell connected for a two-run home run to tie the score. Brad Ausmus singled in the game-winning run, and C. J. Nitkowski got the victory, his second of the year. [3]

Left-hander Randy Johnson made his Astros debut on August 7 at the Astrodome and led a 9–0 shutout of the Philadelphia Phillies. This was first of 3 consecutive home shutouts for Johnson, who had been acquired from the Seattle Mariners prior to the trade deadline. [4]

Bagwell hit his first career grand slam while tying a career-high six runs batted in (RBI) against Cincinnati on September 9 in a 13–7 victory. It was his 218th career home run, making his streak the then-longest among active players without a grand slam. [5]

On September 15, Craig Biggio singled in the ninth inning of the second game of a doubleheader off Turk Wendell of the New York Mets for his 200th hit of the season. With the hit, Biggio become the first player in Astros history to reach this milestone. The Astros lost the second game, 8–4, after winning the first to earn the split. [6] Biggio had passed Enos Cabell's club single-season record for hits (195), established in 1978. [7]

Biggio became the ninth player in major league history to join the 20 home runs—50 stolen bases club, and the second Astro since César Cedeño compiled three consecutive from 1972 to 1974. [8] On September 23 versus the St. Louis Cardinals, Biggio pilfered his 50th base of the season, by which along with 50 doubles, joined Hall of Famer Tris Speaker as the major league only players since the 20th century to have reached both milestones in the same season. [9]

Biggio ultimately reached 210 hits for the season, which remained as the Astros' single-season record until Jose Altuve surpassed it on September 16, 2014. [10] With 123 runs scored, Biggio surpassed Cedeño's single-season club record. [7]

The sixth consecutive winning season for the Astros, it signaled the fifth consecutive with a finish in either first or second place—both unprecedented streaks at the time; it also was the first time since 1980–1981 when Houston occupied the NL West that they won consecutive division titles.

The Astros won a club-record 102 games en route to a second successive NL Central division title. Five starting pitchers earned double-figures in wins for Houston, including Randy Johnson's effort with the Astros after his acquisition at the July 31 trade deadline. The team drew a franchise-record 2.45 million fans in their penultimate season as tenants at the Astrodome, including 10 contests with 50,000 or more. Fans would exceed the stadium's attendance record again the following year by over 250,000. [7]

Season standings

NL Central
Team W L Pct. GB Home Road
Houston Astros 10260.630—55‍–‍2647‍–‍34
Chicago Cubs 9073.55212½51‍–‍3139‍–‍42
St. Louis Cardinals 8379.5121948‍–‍3435‍–‍45
Cincinnati Reds 7785.4752539‍–‍4238‍–‍43
Milwaukee Brewers 7488.4572838‍–‍4336‍–‍45
Pittsburgh Pirates 6993.4263340‍–‍4029‍–‍53

Record vs. opponents

1998 National League record
Source: MLB Standings Grid – 1998
TeamAZATLCHCCINCOLFLAHOULADMILMTLNYMPHIPITSDSFSTLAL
Arizona —1–85–74–56–66–24–54–86–32–74–52–76–33–95–72–75–8
Atlanta 8–1—3–67–25–37–54–58–17–26–69–38–47–25–47–26–39–7
Chicago 7–56–3—6–57–27–24–74–56–67–24–53–68–35–47–34–75–8
Cincinnati 5–42–75–6—4–59–03–85–46–58–13–64–55–71–112–78–37-6
Colorado 6–63–52–75–4—6–36–56–64–77–23–65–45–45–77–53–64–8
Florida 2–65–72–70–93–6—3–64–50–95–75–76–63–64–50–94–58–8
Houston 5–45–47–48–35–66–3—3–69–27–25–47–29–25–46–35–710–4
Los Angeles 8–41–85–44–56–65–46–3—5–45–43–55–47–55–76–64–58–5
Milwaukee 3–62–76–65–67–49–02–94–5—6–31–84–56–53–65–43–88–6
Montreal 7–26–62–71–82–77–52–74–53–6—8–45–72–74–43–63–66–10
New York 5–43–95–46–36–37–54–55–38–14–8—8–44–54–54–56–39–7
Philadelphia 7-24–86–35–44–56–62–74–55–47–54–8—8–11–82–63–67–9
Pittsburgh 3–62–73–87–54–56–32–95–75–67–25–41–8—5–42–76–56–7
San Diego 9–34–54–511–17–55–44–57–56–34–45–48–14–5—8–46–36–7
San Francisco 7–52–73–77–25–79–03–66–64–56–35–46–27–24–8—7–58–5
St. Louis 7–23–67–43–86–35-47–55–48–36–33–66–35–63–65–7—4–9

Notable transactions

Roster

1998 Houston Astros
Roster
PitchersCatchers

Infielders

Outfielders

Other batters

Manager

Coaches

Game log

Regular season

Legend
 Astros win
 Astros loss
 Postponement
 Clinched division
BoldAstros team member
1998 regular season game log: 102–60 (Home: 55–26; Away: 47–34) [12]
March: 0–1 (Home: 0–1; Away: 0–0)
#DateTime (CT)OpponentScoreWinLossSaveTime of GameAttendanceRecordBox/
Streak
1 March 314:06 p.m. CDT Giants L 4–9 (13) Johnstone (1–0) Nitkowski (0–1)—4:2943,7760–1 L1
April: 17–9 (Home: 8–3; Away: 9–6)
#DateTime (CT)OpponentScoreWinLossSaveTime of GameAttendanceRecordBox/
Streak
2 April 16:37 p.m. CDT Giants W 7–6 Miller (1–0) Tavarez (0–1) Wagner (1)3:0413,7191–1 W1
3 April 27:05 p.m. CDT Giants L 2–9 Rueter (1–0) Halama (0–1)—3:1815,0401–2 L1
4 April 37:05 p.m. CDT Rockies W 15–2 Lima (1–0) Wright (0–1)—2:4726,0262–2 W1
5 April 47:06 p.m. CDT Rockies L 3–5 Thompson (1–0) Bergman (0–1) Dipoto (2)2:5421,3252–3 L1
6 April 51:36 p.m. CDT Rockies W 6–2 Reynolds (1–0) Kile (1–1)—2:2921,0373–3 W1
7 April 612:37 p.m. CDT Rockies W 13–4 Hampton (1–0) Thomson (1–1)—2:5113,5534–3 W2
8 April 73:11 p.m. CDT @ Giants L 4–5 (10) Nen (1–0) Wagner (0–1)—3:3855,3704–4 L1
9 April 89:05 p.m. CDT @ Giants W 6–3 Lima (2–0) Rueter (1–1) Wagner (2)3:0210,0215–4 W1
10 April 99:04 p.m. CDT @ Giants W 3–1 Bergman (1–1) Gardner (1–1) Nitkowski (1)2:5410,1536–4 W2
11 April 109:07 p.m. CDT @ Dodgers L 2–7 Martínez (2–1) Reynolds (1–1)—2:5134,9946–5 L1
12 April 119:07 p.m. CDT @ Dodgers W 6–2 Hampton (2–0) Dreifort (0–1) Henry (1)2:2740,0377–5 W1
13 April 127:08 p.m. CDT @ Dodgers L 6–7 (10) Osuna (1–0) Wagner (0–2)—3:2733,4297–6 L1
14 April 137:05 p.m. CDT @ Dodgers L 1–3 Nomo (1–1) Lima (2–1) Radinsky (2)2:1432,2897–7 L2
15 April 156:12 p.m. CDT @ Reds L 1–4 Tomko (2–1) Reynolds (1–2) Shaw (4)2:2815,6197–8 L3
16 April 166:30 p.m. CDT @ Reds W 7–4 Hampton (3–0) Weathers (1–1) Wagner (3)3:0214,5968–8 W1
17 April 177:06 p.m. CDT Expos W 5–3 Halama (1–1) Hermanson (1–2) Wagner (4)2:3126,4859–8 W2
18 April 187:05 p.m. CDT Expos W 4–3 Henry (1–0) Batista (0–1)—2:5529,36210–8 W3
19 April 191:37 p.m. CDT Expos L 4–5 Telford (2–0) Magnante (0–1) Urbina (4)2:5718,48410–9 L1
20April 21@ Mets 6–0Hampton (4–0) Reed (1–2)—2:3814,77411–9W1
21April 22@ Mets 7–10 Cook (2–0)Henry (1–1)—3:4112,77211–10L1
–April 23@ Mets Postponed (Rain)(Makeup date: April 27)
22 April 246:07 p.m. CDT @ Expos W 8–4 Lima (3–1) Valdes (0–3)—2:498,71312–10 W1
23 April 256:08 p.m. CDT @ Expos W 4–3 Magnante (1–1) Urbina (1–1) Wagner (5)3:118,48913–10 W2
24 April 2612:38 p.m. CDT @ Expos W 15–0 Bergman (2–1) Moore (1–3) iller (1)2:499,88914–10 W3
25April 27@ Mets 4–3Nitkowski (1–1) Franco (0–1)Wagner (6)2:3017,65615–10W4
26April 28 Mets 4–3 (10)Magnante (2–1) Hudek (0–1)—3:4314,94316–10W5
27April 29 Mets 6–1Lima (4–1) Mlicki (0–3)—2:2614,44817–10W6
May: 16–12 (Home: 8–6; Away: 8–6)
#DateTime (CT)OpponentScoreWinLossSaveTime of GameAttendanceRecordBox/
Streak
28May 1@ Phillies 12–5Reynolds (2–2) Beech (0–2)—3:1711,41018–10W7
29May 2@ Phillies 4–1Hampton (5–0) Schilling (3–3)Wagner (7)2:3918,76619–10W8
30May 3@ Phillies 3–5 Gomes (1–0)Bergman (2–2) Leiter (2)2:5221,28819–11L1
31May 5@ Cubs 10–5Lima (5–1) Clark (2–4)Nitkowski (2)2:4421,43120–11W1
32May 6@ Cubs 0–2 Wood (3–2)Reynolds (2–3)—2:1915,75820–12L1
33May 8@ Brewers 1–4 Juden (4–1)Hampton (5–1) Jones (10)2:4214,71120–13L2
34May 9@ Brewers 11–6 Schourek (1–0) Eldred (0–2)—3:2320,14521–13W1
35May 10@ Brewers 7–1Lima (6–1) Woodard (2–1)—2:3319,02322–13W2
36May 11 Marlins 5–2Reynolds (3–3) Hernandez (2–3)Wagner (8)2:5014,11023–13W3
37May 12 Marlins 4–2Bergman (3–2) Hammond (0–1)Wagner (9)2:3814,91924–13W4
38May 13 Pirates 1–0Hampton (6–1) Lieber (1–5)Wagner (10)2:1614,23925–13W5
39May 14 Pirates 2–7 Silva (4–3)Schourek (1–1)—2:3616,12325–14L1
40May 15 Braves 2–3 Neagle (5–1)Lima (6–2) Martinez (1)2:2338,94125–15L2
41May 16 Braves 3–2Henry (2–1) Lightenberg (3–2)—2:3451,52626–15W1
42May 17 Braves 8–1Bergman (4–2) Smoltz (4–1)—2:2935,25027–15W2
43May 18 Braves 0–4 Glavine (6–2)Hampton (6–2)—2:4722,11927–16L1
44 May 196:06 p.m. CDT @ Expos L 2–4 Perez (3–3) Schourek (1–2) Urbina (10)2:369,12627–17 L2
45 May 206:06 p.m. CDT @ Expos W 4–3 Henry (3–1) Telford (2–1) Wagner (11)2:498,37228–17 W1
46 May 2112:37 p.m. CDT @ Expos W 6–0 Reynolds (4–3) Bennett (1–2)—2:557,60129–17 W2
47May 22 Padres 6–9 Miceli (4–1)Nitkowski (1–2) Hoffman (14)3:1228,55029–18L1
48May 23 Padres 4–3Miller (2–0)Miceli (4–2)Wagner (12)2:5336,28130–18W1
49May 24 Padres 5–2Schourek (2–2) Hamilton (3–5)Wagner (13)3:0225,70131–18W2
50 May 253:07 p.m. CDT Dodgers L 3–4 (10) Bruske (1–0) Scanlan (0–1) Radinsky (9)3:3534,07931–19 L1
51 May 267:06 p.m. CDT Dodgers W 13–2 Reynolds (5–3) Valdéz (4–6)—2:3416,25132–19 W1
52 May 276:37 p.m. CDT Dodgers L 1–3 Dreifort (3–4) Bergman (4–3) Radinsky (10)2:5017,19032–20 L1
53 May 298:05 p.m. CDT @ Rockies W 7–6 Hampton (7–2) Astacio (4–7) Wagner (14)2:5948,32533–20 W1
54 May 303:06 p.m. CDT @ Rockies L 3–6 Thomson (4–5) Schourek (2–3) Dipoto (12)2:5548,03633–21 L1
55 May 312:06 p.m. CDT @ Rockies L 5–7 McElroy (1–1) Henry (3–2)—2:4048,09733–22 L2
June: 17–10 (Home: 8–4; Away: 9–6)
#DateTime (CT)OpponentScoreWinLossSaveTime of GameAttendanceRecordBox/
Streak
56June 2@ Padres 4–3Reynolds (6–3) Reyes (2–2)Wagner (15)2:4315,73534–22W1
57June 3@ Padres 8–2Bergman (5–3)Hamilton (3–7)—2:4313,22935–22W2
58June 4@ Padres 1–5 Ashby (7–4)Hampton (7–3)—2:2421,02735–23L1
59June 5 Royals 0–3 Belcher (5–6)Schourek (2–4) Montgomery (10)2:3627,89535–24L2
60June 6 Royals 6–0Lima (7–2) Rosado (1–5)—2:2825,51636–24W1
61June 7 Royals 7–1Reynolds (7–3) Pittsley (0–1)—2:3323,22837–24W2
62June 8@ Tigers 9–5Henry (4–2) Jones (0–2)—3:2811,76738–24W3
63June 9@ Tigers 5–3Hampton (8–3)Jones (0–3)Wagner (16)2:4310,87139–24W4
64June 10@ Tigers 10–3Schourek (3–4) Castillo (2–5)—2:3511,47140–24W5
65 June 126:05 p.m. CDT @ Reds L 1–8 Remlinger (4–7) Lima (7–3)—2:2321,31040–25 L1
66 June 136:05 p.m. CDT @ Reds L 4–7 Klingenbeck (1–1) Reynolds (7–4) Shaw (18)2:5028,05540–26 L2
67 June 1412:15 p.m. CDT @ Reds W 6–3 (10) Wagner (1–2) Shaw (1–4)—3:2322,00841–26 W1
68 June 156:06 p.m. CDT @ Reds W 13–2 Magnante (3–1) Tomko (5–6)—2:5614,55642–26 W2
69June 16 Cardinals 4–9 Acevedo (2–1)Schourek (3–5)—3:1034,82242–27L1
70June 17 Cardinals 6–5Nitkowski (2–2) Brantley (0–4)—3:0337,14743–27W1
71June 18 Cardinals 6–7 Bottenfield (2–3)Reynolds (7–5) Croushore (1)3:0543,80643–28L1
72 June 197:05 p.m. CDT Reds W 4–2 Bergman (6–3) Winchester (3–4) Wagner (17)2:3829,25144–28 W1
73 June 2012:18 p.m. CDT Reds W 9–8 Nitkowski (3–2) Krivda (2–1) Wagner (18)3:1324,30145–28 W2
74 June 211:35 p.m. CDT Reds W 3–1 Schourek (4–5) Harnisch (6–3) Magnante (1)2:5742,28146–28 W3
75 June 227:05 p.m. CDT Twins L 3–5 Milton (4–6) Lima (7–4) Aguilera (15)2:4223,16846–29 L1
76 June 2312:36 p.m. CDT Twins W 9–0 Reynolds (8–5) Tewksbury (4–9)—2:4927,15747–29 W1
77 June 248:08 p.m. CDT @ Rockies L 6–8 Astacio (5–8) Bergman (6–4) Veres (2)2:3748,15047–30 L1
78 June 252:06 p.m. CDT @ Rockies L 5–6 (12) Leskanic (4–3) Magnante (3–2)—3:3948,04647–31 L2
79June 26@ Indians 2–4 Colon (8–4)Magnante (3–3) Jackson (17)2:5843,22247–32L3
80June 27@ Indians 9–5 (11)Wagner (2–2) Mesa (3–4)—3:5343,13248–32W1
81June 28@ Indians 12–3Reynolds (9–5) Nagy (7–4)Nitkowski (3)3:1243,04749–32W2
82June 30 White Sox 17–2Bergman (7–4) Navarro (6–10)—2:3026,40050–32W3
July: 15–12 (Home: 10–4; Away: 5–8)
#DateTime (CT)OpponentScoreWinLossSaveTime of GameAttendanceRecordBox/
Streak
83July 1 White Sox 10–4Schourek (5–5) Parque (2–2)—2:5429.05051–32W4
84July 2 White Sox 3–4 Baldwin (3–3)Lima (7–5) Simas (4)2:2525,34451–33L1
85July 3 Diamondbacks 6–5Reynolds (10–5) Benes (6–9)Wagner (19)2:5634,38252–33W1
86July 4 Diamondbacks 4–7 Anderson (6–7)Hampton (8–4)—2:5031,47752–34L1
87July 5 Diamondbacks 5–2Bergman (8–4) Blair (3–12)Wagner (20)3:2223,60753–34W1
69th All-Star Game in Denver, Colorado
88July 9@ Cardinals 5–4Reynolds (11–5) Stottlemyre (9–7)Wagner (21)2:5234,39854–34W2
89July 10@ Cardinals 3–6 King (2–0)Nitkowski (3–3)Brantley (13)2:3144,65554–35L1
90July 11@ Cardinals 3–4 (11) Painter (3–0)Wagner (2–3)—3:0145,76054–36L2
91July 12@ Cardinals 4–6Acevedo (4–2)Bergman (8–5)Croushore (4)2:4245,48554–37L3
92July 13@ Diamondbacks 3–5 Telemaco (3–3)Schourek (5–6) Olson (12)2:5340,00754–38L4
93July 14@ Diamondbacks 4–2Reynolds (12–5) Daal (3–5)Wagner (22)2:4540,41955–38W1
94July 15@ Diamondbacks 8–9 (11) Embree (3–0)Magnante (3–4)—4:0042,22955–39L1
95 July 177:06 p.m. CDT Giants W 10–7 Lima (8–5) Rueter (10–5)—2:4440,70956–39 W1
96 July 183:07 p.m. CDT Giants W 7–2 Bergman (9–5) Darwin (6–7)—2:4335,25757–39 W2
97 July 191:35 p.m. CDT Giants W 4–3 (12) Henry (5–2) Nen (6–2)—3:4732,90058–39 W3
98 July 207:05 p.m. CDT Rockies W 10–9 Henry (6–2) Veres (0–1)—3:1725,49159–39 W4
99 July 217:05 p.m. CDT Rockies L 0–5 Brownson (1–0) Hampton (8–5)—2:1028,71859–40 L1
100 July 229:37 p.m. CDT @ Dodgers L 4–6 Bohanon (3–6) Lima (8–6) Shaw (28)2:3031,36559–41 L2
101 July 239:07 p.m. CDT @ Dodgers W 8–6 (10) Henry (7–2) Hall (0–2) Powell (4)3:3840,20560–41 W1
102July 24@ Padres 2–1Schourek (6–6) Hitchcock (4–4)Magnante (2)2:3431,04761–41W2
103July 25@ Padres 5–6 Langston (4–3)Reynolds (12–6)Hoffman (33)3:0454,17661–42L1
104July 26@ Padres 4–5 (10) Wall (4–2)Magnante (3–5)—3:0641,03461–43L2
105July 27 Marlins 9–1Lima (9–6) Meadows (9–8)—2:1520,88862–43W1
106July 28 Marlins 7–3Bergman (10–5) Ojala (1–1)—2:4726,22063–43W2
107July 29 Marlins 10–6Schourek (7–6) Larkin (2–6) Elarton (1)2:4521,87064–43W3
108July 30 Marlins 3–4Hernandez (9–7)Reynolds (12–7)—2:3533,30364–44L1
109July 31@ Pirates 7–4Hampton (9–5) Cordova (9–9)Henry (2)3:0032,47665–44W1
August: 22–7 (Home: 14–3; Away: 8–4)
#DateTime (CT)OpponentScoreWinLossSaveTime of GameAttendanceRecordBox/
Streak
110August 1@ Pirates 2–1Lima (10–6) Williams (2–1)—2:4919,78366–44W2
111August 2@ Pirates 6–2 Johnson (10–10) Christiansen (1–2)Elarton (2)2:3521,20167–44W3
112August 3@ Marlins 3–11Larkin (3–6)Bergman (10–6) Mantei (5)3:2514,48467–45L1
113August 4@ Marlins 9–5Reynolds (13–7)Hernandez (9–8)—3:1914,58668–45W1
114August 5@ Marlins 3–5 Sanchez (5–6)Hampton (9–6)Mantei (6)2:4619,03868–46L1
115August 7 Phillies 9–0Johnson (11–10) Welch (0–2)—2:2152,07169–46W1
116August 8 Phillies 7–6Henry (8–2)Leiter (6–3)—2:5242,52370–46W2
117August 9 Phillies 11–2Reynolds (14–7)Beech (3–9)—2:5428,65171–46W3
118August 10 Brewers 5–2Elarton (1–0) Fox (0–3)Wagner (23)2:3218,99572–46W4
119August 11 Brewers 6–5 (10)Magnante (4–5) Plunk (3–2)—3:3020,55373–46W5
120August 12 Brewers 3–0Johnson (12–10) Woodall (5–7)—2:3940,21774–46W6
121August 13 Brewers 6–2Lima (11–6)Woodard (9–7)—2:2021,21875–46W7
122August 14 Cubs 4–6Clark (7–11)Reynolds (14–8) Beck (35)2:5345,04075–47L1
123August 15 Cubs 5–4 (11)Wagner (3–3) Mulholland (3–3)—3:3252,00376–47W1
124August 16 Cubs 1–2 (11) Karchner (3–4)Powell (4–5)Beck (36)3:1552,19976–48L1
125August 17@ Phillies 0–4 Byrd (1–0)Johnson (12–11)—2:2718,97576–49L2
126August 18@ Phillies 8–2Lima (12–6) Grace (4–6)—2:5817,54177–49W1
127August 19@ Phillies 4–3Reynolds (15–8)Leiter (6–4)Wagner (24)2:4421,34178–49W2
128August 20@ Brewers 5–6 (10) Wickman (6–6)Magnante (4–6)—3:4617,58978–50L1
129August 21@ Brewers 5–2Bergman (11–6) Pulsipher (1–1)Powell (5)3:0026,82079–50W1
130August 22@ Cubs 8–3Johnson (13–11) Wengert (1–3)—3:0039,88680–50W2
131August 23@ Cubs 13–3Lima (13–6) Trachsel (13–7)—3:0838,71481–50W3
132August 24@ Cubs 12–3Reynolds (16–8)Clark (7–12)—2:5834,71182–50W4
133August 25 Braves 3–2Hampton (10–6) Millwood (14–8)Wagner (25)2:2432,15783–50W5
134August 26 Braves 2–6 Smoltz (13–2)Bergman (11–7)—2:4832,65183–51L1
135August 28 Pirates 2–0Johnson (14–11)Cordova (12–11)—2:2340,70984–51W1
136August 29 Pirates 6–3Lima (14–6) Schmidt (11–10)Powell (6)2:3941,76285–51W2
137August 30 Pirates 11–4Reynolds (17–8) McCurry (1–3)—3:1225,34286–51W3
138August 31@ Braves 4–3Powell (5–5)Smoltz (13–3)Wagner (26)2:4333,88387–51W4
September: 15–9 (Home: 9–5; Away: 6–4)
#DateTime (CT)OpponentScoreWinLossSaveTime of GameAttendanceRecordBox/
Streak
139September 1@ Braves 4–6Neagle (14–11)Elarton (1–1)Lightenberg (25)3:0631,16887–52L1
140September 2@ Braves 4–2Johnson (15–11) Maddux (17–7)Wagner (27)2:2246,23888–52W1
141September 4@ Diamondbacks 1–3Telemaco (6–8)Lima (14–7)Olson (26)2:2741,39688–53L1
142September 5@ Diamondbacks 6–5 (12)Wagner (4–3)Embree (4–1)—4:0543,63889–53W1
143September 6@ Diamondbacks 10–1Hampton (11–6)Daal (7–10)—3:0244,07690–53W2
144 September 74:06 p.m. CDT Reds W 1–0 Johnson (16–11) Parris (4–4)—2:0742,78791–53 W3
145 September 87:06 p.m. CDT Reds W 13–7 Bergman (12–7) Bere (4–8)—3:1316,57492–53 W4
146September 9 Brewers 6–2Lima (15–7)Woodard (9–11)Wagner (28)2:2924,46293–53W5
147September 10 Brewers 7–1Reynolds (18–8) Karl (9–9)—2:5420,81394–53W6
148September 11 Cardinals 8–2Powell (6–5) Morris (5–5)—2:3452,18695–53W7
149September 12 Cardinals 3–2Johnson (17–11) Oliver (9–10)Wagner (29)2:3652,49396–53W8
150September 13 Cardinals 2–3 Mercker (11–11)Bergman (12–8)Acevedo (9)2:4052,33896–54L1
151September 14 Mets 4–7 (13) McMichael (4–4)Magnante (4–7)Franco (37)4:0824,24196–55L2
152September 15 (1) Mets 6–5 (12)Powell (7–5) Tam (1–1)—3:53—97–55W1
153September 15 (2) Mets 4–8 Leiter (16–5)Powell (7–6) Wendell (3)3:1940,83597–56L1
154September 16 Mets 3–4 (11)McMichael (5–4)Bergman (12–9)Wendell (4)4:0524,26997–57L2
155September 18@ Pirates 5–2Johnson (18–11) Dessens (2–5)Powell (7)2:4716,93798–57W1
156September 19@ Pirates 1–7Cordova (13–13)Lima (15–8)—2:2120,67098–58L1
157September 20@ Pirates 2–0Reynolds (19–8)Schmidt (11–13)Wagner (30)2:3223,65799–58W1
158September 22@ Cardinals 0–4Morris (7–5)Hampton (11–7)—2:1540,73999–59L1
159September 23@ Cardinals 7–1Johnson (19–11)Oliver (10–11)—3:0538,997100–59W1
160September 25 Cubs 6–2Lima (16–8) Tapani (19–9)—2:3851,831101–59W2
161September 26 Cubs 2–3Clark (9–14)Powell (7–7)Beck (50)2:5051,950101–60L1
162September 27 Cubs 4–3 (11)Elarton (2–1)Beck (3–4)—3:3051,916102–60W1

Detailed records

Postseason Game log

Legend
 Astros win
 Astros loss
 Postponement
BoldAstros team member
1998 Postseason game log: 1–3 (Home: 1–1; Away: 0–2)
NL Division Series: vs. San Diego Padres 1–3 (Home: 1–1; Away: 0–2) [13]
#DateTime (CT)OpponentScoreWinLossSaveTime of GameAttendanceSeriesBox/
Streak
1 September 293:07 p.m. CDT Padres L 1–2 Brown (1–0) Johnson (0–1) Hoffman (1)2:3850,080SD 1–0 L1
2 October 13:07 p.m. CDT Padres W 5–4 Wagner (1–0) Miceli (0–1)–2:5345,550Tied 1–1 W1
3 October 310:07 p.m. CDT @ Padres L 1–2 Miceli (1–1) Elarton (0–1) Hoffman (2)2:3265,235SD 2–1 L1
4 October 46:37 p.m. CDT @ Padres L 1–6 Hitchcock (1–0) Johnson (0–2)–2:3964,898SD 3–1 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 Brad Ausmus 128412111.269645
1B Jeff Bagwell 147540164.30434111
2B Craig Biggio 160646210.3252088
SS Ricky Gutiérrez 141491128.261246
3B Bill Spiers 123384105.273443
LF Moisés Alou 159584182.31238124
CF Carl Everett 133467138.2961576
RF Derek Bell 156630198.31422108

Other batters

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

PlayerGABHAvg.HRRBI
Sean Berry 10229994.3141352
Richard Hidalgo 7421164.303735
Tony Eusebio 6618246.253136
Tim Bogar 7915624.15418
Dave Clark 9313127.20604
J.R. Phillips 365811.19029
Jack Powell 243811.28917
Pete Incaviglia 13162.12502
Russ Johnson 8133.23100
Mitch Meluskey 882.25000
Ray Montgomery 652.40000
Daryle Ward 431.33300

Pitching

Starting pitchers

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

PlayerGIPWLERASO
Shane Reynolds 35233.11983.51209
José Lima 33233.11683.70169
Mike Hampton 32211.21173.36137
Sean Bergman 31172.01293.72100
Randy Johnson 1184.11011.28116
Pete Schourek 1580.0764.5059
John Halama 632.1115.8521

Relief pitchers

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

PlayerGWLSVERASO
Billy Wagner 5843302.7097
Doug Henry 598223.0459
Mike Magnante 484724.8839
C.J. Nitkowski 433333.7744
Trever Miller 372013.0430
Jay Powell 293342.3838
Scott Elarton 282123.3256
Bob Scanlan 270103.089
Reggie Harris 60006.002
José Cabrera 30008.311
Mike Grzanich 100018.001

National League Divisional Playoffs

Houston Astros vs. San Diego Padres

The Astros season ended by defeat in four games to the San Diego Padres in the National League Division Series, [14] including losing two starts against Kevin Brown – one of the league's highest-accomplished pitchers that year [15] – both by a 2–1 score. As the Game 1 starter opposing Randy Johnson, Brown allowed no runs in eight innings and struck out 16 Astros, a career-high, and second to that point in MLB playoff history only to Bob Gibson's 17-strikeout performance in the 1968 World Series. [16] Bagwell, Derek Bell, and Craig Biggio combined for six hits in 51 at bats in this series. [17]

GameHomeScoreVisitorScoreDateSeries
1Houston1San Diego2September 291-0 (SD)
2Houston5San Diego4October 11-1
3San Diego2Houston1October 32-1 (SD)
4San Diego6Houston1October 43-1 (SD)

Awards and achievements

Career honors
Houston Colt .45s/Astros elected to Baseball Hall of Fame
IndividualPos.Colt .45s / Astros careerInduction
No.Yr.Gm.St.Fin.
Don Sutton SP 20250 1981 1982 1998 Plaque
See also: Members of the Baseball Hall of Fame • Ref: [18]
Annual awards

Minor league system

LevelTeamLeagueManager
AAA New Orleans Zephyrs Pacific Coast League John Tamargo
AA Jackson Generals Texas League Jim Pankovits
A Kissimmee Cobras Florida State League Manny Acta
A Quad Cities River Bandits Midwest League Mike Rojas
A-Short Season Auburn Doubledays New York–Penn League Lyle Yates
Rookie GCL Astros Gulf Coast League Julio Linares

LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: New Orleans; LEAGUE CO-CHAMPIONS: Auburn

Awards

See also

References

Footnotes
  1. ↑ Includes full-season totals with both the Seattle Mariners and Houston Astros.
  2. 1 2 Did not accumulate enough to lead either the NL or the American League (AL) separately as result of mid-season trade.
    Sources
    1. ↑ Rob Butler Statistics Baseball-Reference.com
    2. ↑ Schwartzberg, Seth (June 14, 2025). "Today in Astros history - June 14". The Crawfish Boxes. SB Nation . Retrieved August 30, 2025.
    3. ↑ Schwartzberg, Seth (June 17, 2025). "Today in Astros history - June 17". The Crawfish Boxes. SB Nation. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
    4. ↑ 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.
    5. ↑ "Bagwell has a career day in 13–7 victory". Los Angeles Times . Associated Press. September 9, 1998. Retrieved February 17, 2016.
    6. ↑ "Mets, Astros split doubleheader". CBS News . September 15, 1998. Retrieved August 24, 2025.
    7. 1 2 3 "Astros history – Timeline". MLB.com . Retrieved August 30, 2025.
    8. ↑ Wittenmyer, Gordon (August 7, 2024). "Fast company: Look who's in the elite club Cincinnati Reds SS Elly De La Cruz just joined". Cincinnati Enquirer . Retrieved December 29, 2024– via AOL.
    9. ↑ McTaggart, Brian (December 13, 2023). "10 moments that defined Biggio's career". MLB.com. Retrieved August 24, 2025.
    10. ↑ "Jose Altuve breaks Biggio's record in Astros' loss". USA Today . September 16, 2014. Retrieved August 24, 2025.
    11. ↑ "Randy Johnson stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 24, 2025.
    12. ↑ "1998 Houston Astros Schedule & Results". Baseball Reference . Retrieved May 7, 2025.
    13. ↑ "1998 National League Division Series". Baseball Reference . Retrieved May 7, 2025.
    14. ↑ Swydan, Paul (May 17, 2013). "The 1998 Astros were pretty good at hitting". Fangraphs . Retrieved February 16, 2016.
    15. ↑ Newhan, Ross (October 5, 1998). "Once again, Biggio Bagwell and Bell are wannabes in playoffs". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 21, 2016.
    16. ↑ Newhan, Ross (September 30, 1998). "Powerful Astros are shut down by a Brown out". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 21, 2016.
    17. ↑ Diamos, Jason (October 5, 1998). "Padres defeat Johnson; next up are the Braves". The New York Times. Retrieved February 17, 2016.
    18. ↑ "Houston Astros Hall of Fame register". Baseball-Reference.com . Retrieved August 31, 2025.
    19. ↑ "Associated Press All-Star Awards & Teams". Baseball Almanac . Retrieved July 19, 2025.
    20. ↑ "Houston Astros Player of the Year". The Baseball Cube. Retrieved August 24, 2025.
    21. 1 2 "Moisés Alou height, weight, position, rookie status & more". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 10, 2025.
    22. ↑ "MLB Players of the Week Awards". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 10, 2025.
    23. ↑ "Craig Biggio stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 30, 2025.
    24. ↑ "1998 National League batting leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved July 21, 2025.
    25. ↑ "1998 Major League batting leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved July 21, 2025.
    26. ↑ "1998 National League pitching leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved July 21, 2025.
    27. 1 2 "1998 Major League pitching leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved July 21, 2025.
    28. ↑ "Baseball American 1st Team Minor League All-Star award history". The Baseball Cube. Retrieved August 24, 2025.
    29. ↑ "Houston Astros Minor League Player of the Year". The Baseball Cube. Retrieved August 21, 2025.
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