1986 Houston Astros season

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

1986 Houston Astros
National League West Champions
Major League affiliations
Location
  • The Astrodome (since 1965)
  • Houston, Texas (since 1962)
Results
Record96–66 (.593)
Divisional place1st
Other information
Owner(s)John McMullen
General manager(s)Dick Wagner
Manager(s)Hal Lanier
Local televisionKTXH
HSE
Local radioKTRH
(Gene Elston, Milo Hamilton, Larry Dierker, Jerry Trupiano, Bill Worrell)
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The 1986 Houston Astros season was the 25th season for the Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise in Houston, Texas. For the second time in team history, the Astros won the National League West division; it was their third postseason appearance the past seven seasons, and it would be their last for eleven years.

Offseason[]

Regular season[]

  • Kevin Bass had a twenty-game hit streak during the season.
  • Dave Smith set a club record with 33 saves in one season.
  • September 23, 1986: Jim Deshaies set a record for the most strikeouts to start a game. Deshaies started the game with 8 strikeouts versus the Los Angeles Dodgers[2]
  • September 25, 1986: Mike Scott threw a no-hitter against the San Francisco Giants to help the Astros win the National League West. The final score was 2–0 and Scott struck out 13 Giants batters.

Scott was the first pitcher in the National League and the second overall to throw a no-hitter to clinch a pennant. The first was New York Yankees pitcher Allie Reynolds, who accomplished the feat on September 18, 1951.[3]

Opening Day starters[]

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.

Season standings[]

  • v
  • t
NL West 		W L Pct. GB Home Road
Houston Astros 96 66 0.593 — 52–29 44–37
Cincinnati Reds 86 76 0.531 10 43–38 43–38
San Francisco Giants 83 79 0.512 13 46–35 37–44
San Diego Padres 74 88 0.457 22 43–38 31–50
Los Angeles Dodgers 73 89 0.451 23 46–35 27–54
Atlanta Braves 72 89 0.447 23½ 41–40 31–49

Record vs. opponents[]

1986 National League Records
  • v
  • t

Sources: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12]
Team ATL CHC CIN HOU LAD MON 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.[4]
    • Karl Rhodes was drafted by the Astros in the 3rd round. Player signed June 10, 1986.[5]
    • Trenidad Hubbard was drafted by the Astros in the 12th round of the 1986 amateur draft. Player signed June 16, 1986.[6]
    • Ed Whited was drafted by the Houston Astros in the 18th round of the 1986 amateur draft. [7]
    • Eric Anthony was drafted by the Astros in the 34th round. Player signed June 7, 1986.[8]
  • June 30, 1986: Matt Keough was signed as a free agent by the Astros.[9]

Roster[]

1986 Houston Astros
Roster
Pitchers Catchers
  • 14 Alan Ashby
  •  6 Mark Bailey
  •  4 John Mizerock
  •  7 Robbie Wine

Infielders

Outfielders Manager

Coaches

Game log[]

Regular season[]

1986 Game Log: 96–66 (Home: 52–29 ; Away: 44–37)
April: 14–6 (Home: 6–4; Away: 8–2)
# Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record
1 April 8 Giants 3–8 Mike Krukow (1–0) Nolan Ryan (0–1) Mark Davis (1) 22,935 0–1
2 April 9 Giants 1–4 Scott Garrelts (1–0) Mike Scott (0–1) Greg Minton (1) 6,875 0–2
3 April 10 Giants 4–0 Bob Knepper (1–0) Vida Blue (0–1) — 6,070 1–2
4 April 11 Braves 2–1 Charlie Kerfeld (1–0) David Palmer (0–1) Dave Smith (1) 9,357 2–2
5 April 12 Braves 4–3 Nolan Ryan (1–1) Rick Mahler (1–1) Dave Smith (2) 19,803 3–2
6 April 13 Braves 7–8 Joe Johnson (1–0) Mike Scott (0–2) Gene Garber (1) 8,739 3–3
7 April 15 @ Giants 8–3 Bob Knepper (2–0) Vida Blue (0–2) Charlie Kerfeld (1) 46,638 4–3
8 April 16 @ Giants 4–1 Nolan Ryan (2–1) Roger Mason (0–1) Dave Smith (3) 3,590 5–3
9 April 18 @ Reds 6–4 Mike Scott (1–2) Mario Soto (1–1) Dave Smith (4) 26,126 6–3
10 April 19 @ Reds 4–3 Bob Knepper (3–0) Tom Browning (0–1) Dave Smith (5) 17,564 7–3
11 April 20 @ Reds 6–4 Mike Madden (1–0) Bill Gullickson (0–1) Charlie Kerfeld (2) 17,878 8–3
12 April 21 @ Braves 2–8 Joe Johnson (2–0) Nolan Ryan (2–2) — 5,361 8–4
13 April 22 @ Braves 4–3 Charlie Kerfeld (2–0) Duane Ward (0–1) — 6,316 9–4
14 April 23 @ Braves 3–2 Julio Solano (1–0) Zane Smith (1–1) Dave Smith (6) 7,666 10–4
15 April 24 Reds 0–3 Mario Soto (2–1) Mike Madden (1–1) — 10,245 10–5
16 April 25 Reds 3–1 Nolan Ryan (3–2) Tom Browning (0–2) — 16,296 11–5
17 April 26 Reds 1–0 Mike Scott (2–2) Bill Gullickson (0–2) — 38,442 12–5
18 April 27 Reds 6–0 Bob Knepper (4–0) John Denny (1–2) — 12,185 13–5
19 April 29 @ Phillies 4–12 Shane Rawley (3–1) Nolan Ryan (3–3) — 16,313 13–6
20 April 30 @ Phillies 1–0 Mike Scott (3–2) Kevin Gross (1–3) Dave Smith (7) 17,134 14–6
May: 13–13 (Home: 6–6; Away: 7–7)
# Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record
21 May 2 @ Expos 6–3 Bob Knepper (5–0) Floyd Youmans (0–3) Dave Smith (8) 6,781 15–6
22 May 3 @ Expos 6–7 (10) Jeff Reardon (3–2) Frank DiPino (0–1) — 11,769 15–7
23 May 4 @ Expos 6–7 Jeff Reardon (4–2) Dave Smith (0–1) — 13,810 15–8
24 May 6 @ Mets 0–4 Dwight Gooden (5–0) Bob Knepper (5–1) — 41,722 15–9
25 May 7 @ Mets 2–3 Sid Fernandez (4–0) Nolan Ryan (3–4) Jesse Orosco (6) 26,956 15–10
26 May 9 @ Pirates 3–2 Charlie Kerfeld (3–0) Jim Winn (1–1) Dave Smith (9) 17,296 16–10
27 May 10 @ Pirates 6–3 Bob Knepper (6–1) Rick Rhoden (2–2) Frank DiPino (1) 13,344 17–10
28 May 11 @ Pirates 3–4 (12) José DeLeón (1–0) Charlie Kerfeld (3–1) — 13,170 17–11
29 May 12 Phillies 1–5 Shane Rawley (4–3) Jim Deshaies (0–1) — 8,354 17–12
30 May 13 Phillies 3–2 (11) Julio Solano (2–0) Dave Rucker (0–1) — 7,087 18–12
31 May 14 Mets 6–2 Bob Knepper (7–1) Bob Ojeda (5–1) — 11,626 19–12
32 May 15 Mets 2–6 Ron Darling (4–0) Nolan Ryan (3–5) — 13,856 19–13
33 May 16 Cubs 9–6 Julio Solano (3–0) Jay Baller (1–2) Dave Smith (10) 17,802 20–13
34 May 17 Cubs 5–1 Mike Scott (4–2) Steve Trout (2–1) — 37,483 21–13
35 May 18 Cubs 2–5 Guy Hoffman (1–1) Bob Knepper (7–2) Lee Smith (5) 14,483 21–14
36 May 20 Pirates 2–4 Bob Walk (2–0) Nolan Ryan (3–6) — 8,711 21–15
37 May 21 Pirates 1–2 Rick Rhoden (3–3) Mike Scott (4–3) — 6,990 21–16
38 May 22 Pirates 4–0 Bob Knepper (8–2) Rick Reuschel (3–4) — 4,784 22–16
39 May 23 @ Cubs 1–4 Rick Sutcliffe (2–6) Julio Solano (3–1) — 20,532 22–17
40 May 24 @ Cubs 3–4 George Frazier (2–3) Dave Smith (0–2) Lee Smith (6) 33,355 22–18
41 May 25 @ Cubs 3–1 (11) Charlie Kerfeld (4–1) Lee Smith (0–2) Dave Smith (11) 36,000 23–18
42 May 26 @ Cardinals 4–1 Jim Deshaies (1–1) Bob Forsch (3–3) Frank DiPino (2) 20,099 24–18
43 May 27 @ Cardinals 5–4 Dave Smith (1–2) Ken Dayley(0–3) — 20,146 25–18
44 May 28 @ Cardinals 4–3 (11) Charlie Kerfeld (5–1) Todd Worrell (3–3) — 17,582 26–18
45 May 30 Expos 0–1 Bryn Smith (4–4) Mike Scott (4–4) Jeff Reardon (12) 13,854 26–19
46 May 31 Expos 4–3 Frank DiPino (1–1) Tim Burke (2–1) Dave Smith (12) 25,831 27–19
June: 14–15 (Home: 9–6; Away: 5–9)
# Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record
47 June 1 Expos 8–4 Bob Knepper (9–2) Joe Hesketh (3–4) — 13,325 28–19
48 June 2 Cardinals 2–9 John Tudor (5–3) Mike Madden (1–2) — 11,669 28–20
49 June 3 Cardinals 1–3 Greg Mathews (1–0) Jim Deshaies (1–2) Todd Worrell (8) 6,430 28–21
50 June 4 Cardinals 4–2 Mike Scott (5–4) Ray Burris (2–2) Dave Smith (13) 11,396 29–21
51 June 5 @ Dodgers 0–1 Rick Honeycutt (3–3) Manny Hernández (0–1) Ken Howell (3) 32,545 29–22
52 June 6 @ Dodgers 2–3 Ken Howell (2–2) Bob Knepper (9–3) — 38,991 29–23
53 June 7 @ Dodgers 7–5 Aurelio López (1–0) Ken Howell (2–3) Dave Smith (14) 32,902 30–23
54 June 8 @ Dodgers 3–2 Mike Scott (6–4) Fernando Valenzuela (8–4) Dave Smith (15) 47,404 31–23
55 June 9 @ Padres 5–3 Jim Deshaies (2–2) Eric Show (3–4) Aurelio López (1) 19,167 32–23
56 June 10 @ Padres 12–1 Bob Knepper (10–3) Dave Dravecky (5–6) — 13,966 33–23
57 June 11 @ Padres 7–11 Lance McCullers (2–1) Frank DiPino (1–2) — 13,686 33–24
58 June 12 Giants 4–1 Manny Hernández (1–1) Mike Krukow (8–4) Dave Smith (16) 16,342 34–24
59 June 13 Giants 1–3 Mark Davis (2–3) Mike Scott (6–5) — 23,352 34–25
60 June 14 Giants 7–3 Jim Deshaies (3–2) Terry Mulholland (0–1) Aurelio López (2) 32,477 35–25
61 June 15 Giants 2–7 Vida Blue (4–3) Bob Knepper (10–4) — 22,958 35–26
62 June 17 @ Reds 4–5 Chris Welsh (2–1) Manny Hernández (1–2) John Franco (11) 16,824 35–27
63 June 18 @ Reds 2–3 Ron Robinson (5–0) Dave Smith (1–3) — 17,426 35–28
64 June 19 @ Reds 6–2 Jim Deshaies (4–2) Mario Soto (3–7) — 25,920 36–28
65 June 20 @ Giants 1–3 Vida Blue (5–3) Bob Knepper (10–5) Juan Berenguer (2) 25,116 36–29
66 June 21 @ Giants 1–2 Scott Garrelts (6–6) Mark Knudson (0–1) Juan Berenguer (3) 24,927 36–30
67 June 22 @ Giants 2–4 Mike Krukow (9–4) Manny Hernández (1–3) — N/A 36–31
68 June 22 @ Giants 2–3 Juan Berenguer (1–0) Dave Smith (1–4) Chuck Hensley (1) 47,030 36–32
69 June 23 Reds 7–6 Larry Andersen (1–0) Ted Power (3–5) — 12,953 37–32
70 June 24 Reds 8–4 Nolan Ryan (4–6) Tom Browning (5–7) — 17,487 38–32
71 June 25 Reds 3–4 (10) John Franco (1–4) Aurelio López (1–1) — 13,313 38–33
72 June 27 Dodgers 5–0 Mike Scott (7–5) Jerry Reuss (2–6) — 25,760 39–33
73 June 28 Dodgers 6–4 Jim Deshaies (5–2) Bob Welch (3–6) Aurelio López (3) 34,252 40–33
74 June 29 Dodgers 2–1 Manny Hernández (2–3) Fernando Valenzuela (10–5) Frank DiPino (3) 32,723 41–33
75 June 30 Padres 2–9 Dave Dravecky (7–7) Bob Knepper (10–6) — 11,141 41–34
July: 16–11 (Home: 11–5; Away: 5–6)
# Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record
76 July 1 Padres 4–7 Eric Show (7–4) Mark Knudson (0–2) Goose Gossage (14) 13,866 41–35
77 July 2 Padres 8–1 Mike Scott (8–5) Andy Hawkins (5–5) — 10,148 42–35
78 July 3 @ Mets 5–6 (10) Jesse Orosco (4–4) Frank DiPino (1–3) — 48,839 42–36
79 July 4 @ Mets 1–2 Dwight Gooden (10–3) Dave Smith (1–5) — 28,557 42–37
80 July 5 @ Mets 2–1 Charlie Kerfeld (6–1) Roger McDowell (7–1) — 50,939 43–37
81 July 6 @ Mets 3–5 Sid Fernandez (11–2) Mark Knudson (0–3) Roger McDowell (8) 31,017 43–38
82 July 7 @ Expos 12–1 Mike Scott (9–5) Dennis Martínez (0–1) — 17,694 44–38
83 July 8 @ Expos 4–1 Nolan Ryan (5–6) Jay Tibbs (4–5) Charlie Kerfeld (3) 16,382 45–38
84 July 9 @ Expos 1–2 Floyd Youmans (9–5) Bob Knepper (10–7) — 15,316 45–39
85 July 10 Phillies 11–4 Mark Knudson (1–3) Charles Hudson (4–9 — 18,289 46–39
86 July 11 Phillies 1–4 Don Carman (4–2) Mike Scott (9–6) Steve Bedrosian (11) 18,047 46–40
87 July 12 Phillies 4–3 Nolan Ryan (6–6) Shane Rawley (11–5) Dave Smith (17) 17,491 47–40
88 July 13 Phillies 4–5 (11) Steve Bedrosian (6–3) Dave Smith (1–6) — 20,597 47–41
ASG July 15 AL @ NL 3–2 Roger Clemens Dwight Gooden Don Aase 45,774 —
89 July 17 Mets 2–13 Bob Ojeda (11–2) Nolan Ryan (6–7) — 21,536 47–42
90 July 18 Mets 3–0 Bob Knepper (11–7) Ron Darling (9–3) — 22,906 48–42
91 July 19 Mets 5–4 Dave Smith (2–6) Roger McDowell (7–3) — 44,502 49–42
92 July 20 Mets 9–8 (15) Bob Knepper (12–7) Roger McDowell (7–4) — 23,900 50–42
93 July 21 Expos 8–7 Charlie Kerfeld (7–1) Jeff Reardon (6–5) — 13,753 51–42
94 July 22 Expos 1–0 (10) Dave Smith (3–6) Floyd Youmans (10–6) — 19,271 52–42
95 July 23 Expos 4–3 (11) Aurelio López (2–1) Tim Burke (7–4) — 15,364 53–42
96 July 24 @ Phillies 9–3 Mike Scott (10–6) Shane Rawley (11–7) — 31,094 54–42
97 July 25 @ Phillies 2–4 Charles Hudson (6–9) Jim Deshaies (5–3) Steve Bedrosian (13) 23,387 54–43
98 July 26 @ Phillies 2–3 Don Carman (5–2) Mark Knudson (1–4) Dan Schatzeder (2) 34,075 54–44
99 July 27 @ Phillies 3–2 Nolan Ryan (7–7) Kevin Gross (6–8) Aurelio López (4) 33,192 55–44
100 July 28 Braves 4–2 Bob Knepper (13–7) Doyle Alexander (6–7) Dave Smith (18) 24,597 56–44
101 July 29 Braves 0–1 David Palmer (7–8) Mike Scott (10–7) Gene Garber (13) 26,610 56–45
102 July 30 Braves 4–2 Jim Deshaies (6–3) Jim Acker (3–5) Dave Smith (19) 34,102 57–45
August: 16–12 (Home: 8–4; Away: 8–8)
# Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record
103 August 1 @ Padres 6–3 Bob Knepper (14–7) LaMarr Hoyt (5–7) Dave Smith (20) 22,108 58–45
104 August 2 @ Padres 5–4 Mike Scott (11–7) Eric Show (7–5) Dave Smith (21) 28,612 59–45
105 August 3 @ Padres 1–5 Andy Hawkins (8–7) Mark Knudson (1–5) Goose Gossage (18) 21,850 59–46
106 August 4 @ Dodgers 3–7 Fernando Valenzuela (15–6) Charlie Kerfeld (7–2) — 32,182 59–47
107 August 5 @ Dodgers 10–2 Aurelio López (3–1) Ken Howell (4–7) Dave Smith (22) 45,525 60–47
108 August 6 @ Dodgers 4–7 Rick Honeycutt (8–6) Matt Keough (2–3) Tom Niedenfuer (7) 40,709 60–48
109 August 8 Padres 5–0 Mike Scott (12–7) Lance McCullers (5–6) — 31,142 61–48
110 August 9 Padres 6–2 Jim Deshaies (7–3) Andy Hawkins (8–8) Charlie Kerfeld (4) 38,169 62–48
111 August 10 Padres 3–5 Dave Dravecky (8–9) Bob Knepper (14–8) Goose Gossage (19) 20,839 62–49
112 August 11 Dodgers 7–6 Dave Smith (4–6) Ken Howell (4–8) — 23,206 63–49
113 August 12 Dodgers 3���0 Nolan Ryan (8–7) Rick Honeycutt (8–7) Charlie Kerfeld (5) 37,973 64–49
114 August 13 Dodgers 3–5 Orel Hershiser (12–8) Mike Scott (12–8) Tom Niedenfuer (8) 33,327 64–50
115 August 14 Dodgers 3–2 Larry Andersen (2–0) Fernando Valenzuela (15–8) Dave Smith (23) 42,118 65–50
116 August 15 @ Braves 3–0 Bob Knepper (15–8) Jim Acker (4–6) — 26,625 66–50
117 August 16 @ Braves 7–4 Matt Keough (3–3) Rick Mahler (11–12) Dave Smith (24) 31,862 67–50
118 August 17 @ Braves 3–4 Cliff Speck (2–0) Larry Andersen (2–1) Gene Garber (18) 17,618 67–51
119 August 18 @ Pirates 3–0 Mike Scott (13–8) Bob Walk (5–7) — 7,965 68–51
120 August 19 @ Pirates 1–0 Jim Deshaies (8–3) Mike Bielecki (6–9) Dave Smith (25) 9,128 69–51
121 August 20 @ Pirates 1–4 Rick Rhoden (14–7) Bob Knepper (15–9) — 16,997 69–52
122 August 22 @ Cardinals 5–6 John Tudor (13–6) Nolan Ryan (8–8) Todd Worrell (28) 33,918 69–53
123 August 23 @ Cardinals 1–7 Danny Cox (8–10) Mike Scott (13–9) — 40,944 69–54
124 August 24 @ Cardinals 5–1 Jim Deshaies (9–3) Tim Conroy (3–8) Aurelio López (5) 33,687 70–54
125 August 25 Cubs 3–2 Charlie Kerfeld (8–2) Lee Smith (8–8) Dave Smith (26) 24,211 71–54
126 August 26 Cubs 3–5 Ed Lynch (4–3) Danny Darwin (6–9) Lee Smith (25) 22,579 71–55
127 August 27 Cubs 7–1 Nolan Ryan (9–8) Jamie Moyer (5–4) Charlie Kerfeld (6) 24,198 72–55
128 August 29 Pirates 3–2 Mike Scott (14–9) Rick Reuschel (8–15) Dave Smith (27) 22,801 73–55
129 August 30 Pirates 3–13 Rick Rhoden (15–7) Jim Deshaies (9–4) — 30,598 73–56
130 August 31 Pirates 2–8 Bob Walk (7–7) Bob Knepper (15–10) — 25,405 73–57
September: 18–9 (Home: 9–3; Away: 9–6)
# Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record
131 September 1 @ Cubs 6–4 Danny Darwin (7–9) Ed Lynch (4–4) Dave Smith (28) 25,547 74–57
132 September 2 @ Cubs 8–7 (18) Danny Darwin (8–9) Greg Maddux (0–1) — 10,501 75–57
133 September 3 @ Cubs 8–2 Mike Scott (15–9) Scott Sanderson (7–11) — 7,051 76–57
134 September 5 Cardinals 5–8 Ray Soff (2–0) Aurelio López (3–2) — 23,547 76–58
135 September 6 Cardinals 7–6 Charlie Kerfeld (9–2) Todd Worrell (8–10) — 21,802 77–58
136 September 7 Cardinals 6–3 Jeff Calhoun (1–0) Greg Mathews (10–5) Dave Smith (29) 20,773 78–58
137 September 8 Reds 3–1 Nolan Ryan (10–8) Chris Welsh (5–6) Charlie Kerfeld (7) 26,997 79–58
138 September 9 Reds 9–2 Mike Scott (16–9) Tom Browning (12–12) — 22,711 80–58
139 September 10 @ Dodgers 1–5 Orel Hershiser (13–10) Jim Deshaies (9–5) — 27,534 80–59
140 September 11 @ Dodgers 6–14 Fernando Valenzuela (19–9) Bob Knepper (15–11) — 34,816 80–60
141 September 12 @ Padres 5–3 Charlie Kerfeld (10–2) Lance McCullers (8–8) Dave Smith (30) 11,319 81–60
142 September 13 @ Padres 3–4 Craig Lefferts (8–7) Dave Smith (4–7) — 32,729 81–61
143 September 14 @ Padres 2–3 Craig Lefferts (9–7) Mike Scott (16–10) — 13,279 81–62
144 September 16 @ Reds 6–1 Bob Knepper (16–11) Bill Gullickson (13–11) Larry Andersen (1) 16,927 82–62
145 September 17 @ Reds 6–1 Danny Darwin (9–9) Chris Welsh (6–7) — 15,195 83–62
146 September 18 @ Reds 5–3 Matt Keough (4–3) Tom Browning (13–13) Aurelio López (6) 11,825 84–62
147 September 19 Padres 5–4 Charlie Kerfeld (11–2) Dave LaPoint (4–9) Dave Smith (31) 23,805 85–62
148 September 20 Padres 10–6 Mike Scott (17–10) Ray Hayward (0–1) — 36,878 86–62
149 September 21 Padres 0–5 Jimmy Jones (1–0) Bob Knepper (16–12) — 23,385 86–63
150 September 22 Dodgers 2–9 Fernando Valenzuela (20–10) Danny Darwin (9–10) — 27,641 86–64
151 September 23 Dodgers 4–0 Jim Deshaies (10–5) Dennis Powell (2–7) — 27,734 87–64
152 September 24 Giants 6–0 Nolan Ryan (11–8) Mike LaCoss (10–13) — 37,611 88–64
153 September 25 Giants 2–0 Mike Scott (18–10) Juan Berenguer (2–3) — 32,808 89–64
154 September 26 @ Braves 4–5 Doyle Alexander (11–10) Matt Keough (4–4) Zane Smith (1) 6,754 89–65
155 September 27 @ Braves 4–0 Danny Darwin (10–10) David Palmer (11–10) — 13,545 90–65
156 September 28 @ Braves 2–0 Jim Deshaies (11–5) Jim Acker (5–11) Dave Smith (32) 6,280 91–65
157 September 30 @ Giants 5–6 Mark Davis (5–7) Aurelio López (3–3) — 13,358 91–66
October: 5–0 (Home: 3–0; Away: 2–0)
# Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record
158 October 1 @ Giants 5–0 Danny Darwin (11–10) Mike Krukow (19–9) — 9,881 92–66
159 October 2 @ Giants 2–1 Matt Keough (5–4) Jeff Robinson (6–3 Dave Smith (33) 8,656 93–66
160 October 3 Braves 6–2 Nolan Ryan (12–8) Jim Acker (5–12) — 25,068 94–66
161 October 4 Braves 3–2 Jim Deshaies (12–5) Zane Smith (8–16) Aurelio López (7) 17,314 95–66
162 October 5 Braves 4–1 Bob Knepper (17–12) Rick Mahler (14–18) — 37,531 96–66

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
Bob Knepper 40 258 17 12 3.14 143
Mike Scott 37 275.1 18 10 2.22 306
Nolan Ryan 30 178 12 8 3.34 194
Jim Deshaies 26 144 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 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 4 7 33 2.73 46
Charlie Kerfeld 61 93.2 11 2 7 2.59 77
Aurelio López 45 78 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 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 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 was one for the ages, in more ways than one. 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 Astrodome hosted what some consider to be one of the greatest games of all time that October and it will forever be remembered.

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. He 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 still 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. He 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 their closer, but had blown a save earlier in the series. 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 honors[]

  • Kevin Bass – National League Player of the Month, June
  • Mike Scott – National League Leader ERA Champion (2.22)
  • Mike Scott – National League Leader in Innings Pitched (275)
  • Mike Scott – National League Leader in Shutouts (5)
  • Mike Scott – National League Leader in Strikeouts (306)
  • Mike Scott – NLCS Most Valuable Player
  • Mike Scott – The Sporting News Pitcher of the Year, National League
  • Mike Scott – Cy Young Award, National League
  • Hal Lanier – National League Manager of the Year
  • Hal Lanier, Associated Press Manager of the Year

All-Star Game

  • Kevin Bass, Outfield, Reserve
  • Glenn Davis, First Baseman, Reserve
  • Mike Scott, Starting Pitcher, Reserve
  • Dave Smith, Relief Pitcher, Reserve

Farm 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

References[]

  1. ^ Mike Richardt at Baseball-Reference
  2. ^ "Los Angeles Dodgers at Houston Astros Box Score, September 23, 1986".
  3. ^ 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
  4. ^ Ryan Bowen at Baseball-Reference
  5. ^ Karl "Tuffy" Rhodes at Baseball-Reference
  6. ^ "Trent Hubbard Stats".
  7. ^ "Ed Whited: Career Statistics". Baseball Reference. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
  8. ^ Eric Anthony at Baseball-Reference
  9. ^ Matt Keough at Baseball-Reference

External links[]

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