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1979 – J.R. Richard blanks the Padres on three hits, 3-0. Cesar Cedeno belts a homer and Jose Cruz adds three hits to spark the offense. 

ByTom

1979 – J.R. Richard blanks the Padres on three hits, 3-0. Cesar Cedeno belts a homer and Jose Cruz adds three hits to spark the offense. 

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1979 – The Astros witness the re-hatching of the famous San Diego Chicken before a 4-1 victory. Heavy traffic delays the game for a half-hour before Ted Giannoulas breaks out of a five-foot egg to thunderous cheers. Unimpressed, Terry Puhl bashes Gaylord Perry’s first pitch for a homer and Houston gets the last cluck.

ByTom

1979 – The Astros witness the re-hatching of the famous San Diego Chicken before a 4-1 victory. Heavy traffic delays the game for a half-hour before Ted Giannoulas breaks out of a five-foot egg to thunderous cheers. Unimpressed, Terry Puhl bashes Gaylord Perry’s first pitch for a homer and Houston gets the last cluck.

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1979 – Montreal puts a 19-3 hurt on the Astros, touching Joe Niekro for eight runs in the first three innings. George Throop and Randy Niemann are also blasted. Even winning pitcher Dan Schatzeder gets two hits. 

ByTom

1979 – Montreal puts a 19-3 hurt on the Astros, touching Joe Niekro for eight runs in the first three innings. George Throop and Randy Niemann are also blasted. Even winning pitcher Dan Schatzeder gets two hits. 

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1979 – Dr. John McMullen purchases the Astros from the Ford Motor Credit Corporation. The shipping magnate, a former partner of New York Yankee boss George Steinbrenner, jokes that nothing is more limited than being Steinbrenner’s limited partner. 

ByTom

1979 – Dr. John McMullen purchases the Astros from the Ford Motor Credit Corporation. The shipping magnate, a former partner of New York Yankee boss George Steinbrenner, jokes that nothing is more limited than being Steinbrenner’s limited partner. 

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1979 – Art Howe singles home Craig Reynolds for a 9-8 triumph over Pittsburgh in eleven innings. It is Howe’s fourth hit and fourth RBI of the game. Reynolds also has four hits. 

ByTom

1979 – Art Howe singles home Craig Reynolds for a 9-8 triumph over Pittsburgh in eleven innings. It is Howe’s fourth hit and fourth RBI of the game. Reynolds also has four hits. 

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J.R. Richard ties a major-league record by throwing six wild pitches in a game against Los Angeles, but he also strikes out 13 in a 2-1 victory. Cesar Cedeno, Jose Cruz and Enos Cabell tag consecutive doubles off Burt Hooton in the fourth for the Houston runs. 

ByThis Day in Baseball

1979 – J.R. Richard ties a major-league record by throwing six wild pitches in a game against Los Angeles, but he also strikes out 13 in a 2-1 victory. Cesar Cedeno, Jose Cruz and Enos Cabell tag consecutive doubles off Burt Hooton in the fourth for the Houston runs. 

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1979 – Philip Barzilla is born in Houston, TX. The lefthander tosses 1/3rd of an inning for the hometown team in 2006, much to the joy of his family, including one proud uncle. 

ByTom

1979 – Philip Barzilla is born in Houston, TX. The lefthander tosses 1/3rd of an inning for the hometown team in 2006, much to the joy of his family, including one proud uncle. 

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Alan Ashby is acquired from Toronto for pitcher Mark Lemongello, outfielder Joe Cannon and a minor leaguer.

ByTom

1978 – Alan Ashby is acquired from Toronto for pitcher Mark Lemongello, outfielder Joe Cannon and a minor leaguer. Ashby becomes a stalwart in Houston for the next decade, hitting .252 and providing steady defense behind the plate. 

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Ford Motor Credit Company buys full control of the Astros by purchasing remaining shares from General Electric Credit Company. They intend to look for a new buyer, while rumors swirl that the franchise may be moved out of Houston. 

ByTom

1978 – Ford Motor Credit Company buys full control of the Astros by purchasing remaining shares from General Electric Credit Company. They intend to look for a new buyer, while rumors swirl that the franchise may be moved out of Houston. 

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Todd Self is born in Shreveport, LA. The outfielder appears in 21 games during 2005 before being released, batting .200 with one homer.

ByTom

1978 – Todd Self is born in Shreveport, LA. The outfielder appears in 21 games during 2005 before being released, batting .200 with one homer.