1993 – Doug Drabek drills a home run off Pedro Martinez to beat the Dodgers, 3-2. Drabek picks up his fourth win while Doug Jones gets the save. Earlier, Craig Biggio had tagged Pedro Astacio for a solo shot.
1989 – Jim Deshaies goes the distance with a four-hitter as Houston trips the Cubs, 3-1.Gerald Young and Billy Hatcher execute a double steal for the game’s first run, with Young crossing the plate.
1989 – After blowing late leads in each of their first three spring games, the Astros score four in the bottom of the ninth to steal a 5-4 victory over Kansas City for the first win in Art Howe’s managerial career. Thad Bosley, Craig Biggio and Karl Allaire drive in the runs after three walks start the inning.
1989 – Houston inks a pair of veterans, pitcher Dan Schatzeder and outfielder Greg Gross as free agents. Gross bats .200 in mostly pinch-hit roles during the final campaign of his 15-year career, one that began as an Astro. Schatzeder wins four games in relief.
The Astros acquire veteran righthander Rick Rhoden from the Yankees for three minor leaguers. Rhoden starts 20 games and wins just two during his final season in a 15-year career.
1988 – Toronto pitcher Jim Clancy is signed to a free agent contract. Unfairly, he is viewed as the replacement for Nolan Ryan in the Astros rotation. The 32-year-old righthander is coming off an 11-13 season for the Blue Jays.
1988 – The Texas Rangers sign pitcher Nolan Ryan as a free agent, creating a huge fan backlash in Houston. San Francisco and California also had offered more than the Astros did. Owner John McMullen defends his bid saying he wouldn’t pay Ryan more than he was paying Mike Scott.
1988 – Mark Portugal is acquired from Minnesota for minor leaguer Todd McClure. As a reliever for the Twins, Portugal has an 11-19 record over parts of four seasons and is considered expendable. As a starter in Houston, Portugal would turn around his career.
1988 – Hal Lanier is fired after three seasons. Having won Manager of the Year honors in 1986, Hal closes his run with a 254-232 record.
1988 – Bob Knepper fires a one-hitter to stifle Atlanta, 1-0. An infield hit by Dale Murphy in the second and a walk to Bruce Benedict in the ninth are the only baserunners he allows. Gerald Young’s single in the eighth scores Ken Caminiti for the game’s only run.
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