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1976 – Ken Forsch has to save the Astros twice. Leading San Diego, 5-4 in the ninth, and the tying runner aboard, Forsch gets Ted Kubiak to ground to second for an apparent finish but catcher Cliff Johnson is ruled for interference. Kubiak is awarded first and Forsch must retire Merv Rettenmund, which he does on a fly to Greg Gross in right to seal the victory. 

ByTom

1976 – Ken Forsch has to save the Astros twice. Leading San Diego, 5-4 in the ninth, and the tying runner aboard, Forsch gets Ted Kubiak to ground to second for an apparent finish but catcher Cliff Johnson is ruled for interference. Kubiak is awarded first and Forsch must retire Merv Rettenmund, which he does on a fly to Greg Gross in right to seal the victory. 

Art Howe Houston Astros Signed 8x10 Photo W/coa
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The Astros obtain Art Howe from the Pittsburgh Pirates to complete a deal the previous month for infielder Tommy Helms

ByTom

The Astros obtain Art Howe from the Pittsburgh Pirates to complete a deal the previous month for infielder Tommy Helms. The versatile Howe is instrumental in Houston’s first division title and later manages the team for five seasons. 

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1975 – Houston deals catcher Milt May and pitchers Jim Crawford and Dave Roberts to Detroit for outfielder Leon Roberts and pitchers Mark Lemongello and Gene Pentz

ByTom

1975 – Houston deals catcher Milt May and pitchers Jim Crawford and Dave Roberts to Detroit for outfielder Leon Roberts and pitchers Mark Lemongello and Gene Pentz. It is primarily a cost-cutting move for the Astros although both May and Roberts are coming off disappointing seasons. Lemongello would author a 21-29 record over the next three seasons while Pentz would compile an 8-5 mark with seven saves in three years. 

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Cesar Cedeno drills two home runs and a two-run single to drive in six during a 9-6 win in Atlanta.

ByTom

1975 – Cesar Cedeno drills two home runs and a two-run single to drive in six during a 9-6 win in Atlanta. Only 737 fans witness it. Cedeno’s three-run bomb off Bruce Dal Canton in the eighth puts Houston ahead to stay.

Cliff Johnson Houston Astros
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Cliff Johnson hits a homer in his fifth straight game as Houston topples the Cubs, 8-4 

ByThis Day in Baseball

1975 – Cliff Johnson hits a homer in his fifth straight game as Houston topples the Cubs, 8-4 . Jose Cruz goes deep twice and Bob Watson also plays long ball. Wilbur Howard adds four hits and swipes two bases. Larry Dierker sails to his 12th win. 

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Bill Virdon replaces Preston Gomez as Houston manager. 

ByThis Day in Baseball

1975 – Bill Virdon replaces Preston Gomez as Houston manager. Bob Lillis fills out the lineup card while Virdon settles in. The Mets topple the Astros, 6-3, but not before Cliff Johnson and Cesar Cedeno go deep in the ninth inning to show the team still has some life. 

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1975 – Cliff Johnson pounds four hits while Cesar Cedeno and Jerry DaVanon collect three each in a 7-2 victory over St. Louis. Larry Dierker tosses a complete game for his tenth win of the year. 

ByThis Day in Baseball

1975 – Cliff Johnson pounds four hits while Cesar Cedeno and Jerry DaVanon collect three each in a 7-2 victory over St. Louis. Larry Dierker tosses a complete game for his tenth win of the year. 

JR Richards
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The woeful “Lastros” sweep a four-game series from division-leading Pittsburgh, 5-3

ByTom

1975 – The woeful “Lastros” sweep a four-game series from division-leading Pittsburgh, 5-3. J.R. Richard walks nine in six innings but allows just one hit for the win. Jerry DaVanon beats George Brett by eight years when his sixth-inning single is overturned after his bat is found with too much pine tar. DaVanon accidentally rubbed pine tar on the wrong end of his bat while in the on-deck circle and Pirate catcher Manny Sanguillen alertly handed the bat to the plate umpire. 

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1975 – Tal Smith is named General Manager, replacing “Spec” Richardson. The Astros are in last place, 35 games behind Cincinnati at the time. Dave Roberts takes the first small steps to recovery with a 6-1 victory over Pittsburgh. 

ByTom

1975 – Tal Smith is named General Manager, replacing “Spec” Richardson. The Astros are in last place, 35 games behind Cincinnati at the time. Dave Roberts takes the first small steps to recovery with a 6-1 victory over Pittsburgh.