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1975 – The first Houston player to homer in his first major league at bat is…reliever Jose Sosa. The blast comes at the Astrodome, a three-run shot off Danny Frisella during an 8-4 victory over San Diego. And to top it off, Sosa also earns his first big league save. The other five runs come on a three-run homer by Jose Cruz and a two-run shot by Doug Rader, who is celebrating his 31st birthday. 

ByTom

1975 – The first Houston player to homer in his first major league at bat is…reliever Jose Sosa. The blast comes at the Astrodome, a three-run shot off Danny Frisella during an 8-4 victory over San Diego. And to top it off, Sosa also earns his first big league save. The other five runs come on a three-run homer by Jose Cruz and a two-run shot by Doug Rader, who is celebrating his 31st birthday. 

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1975 – Bob Watson’s three-run homer off Burt Hooton caps a six-run outburst against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Wayne Granger pitches the final 2-2/3rds innings to save the 6-5 victory. Granger picks off Ron Cey at third base in order to preserve the win. 

ByTom

1975 – Bob Watson’s three-run homer off Burt Hooton caps a six-run outburst against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Wayne Granger pitches the final 2-2/3rds innings to save the 6-5 victory. Granger picks off Ron Cey at third base in order to preserve the win. 

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1975 – Cliff Johnson swats a grand slam off Mike Garman in the top of the ninth for an 8-7 stunner over St. Louis. The Redbirds had just tallied three to snap a 4-4 tie. 

ByTom

1975 – Cliff Johnson swats a grand slam off Mike Garman in the top of the ninth for an 8-7 stunner over St. Louis. The Redbirds had just tallied three to snap a 4-4 tie. 

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 1975 – Houston erupts for twelve runs in the eighth inning, setting a club mark, during a 15-3 bombing of Philadelphia. Wayne Twitchell, a former high Astros draft pick, had allowed two hits in seven innings before the collapse. Pinch-hitter Cliff Johnson belts a double and a home run for three RBIs during the frame but the league later rules that the homer cannot officially be a pinch hit since he batted earlier in the inning 

ByTom

 1975 – Houston erupts for twelve runs in the eighth inning, setting a club mark, during a 15-3 bombing of Philadelphia. Wayne Twitchell, a former high Astros draft pick, had allowed two hits in seven innings before the collapse. Pinch-hitter Cliff Johnson belts a double and a home run for three RBIs during the frame but the league later rules that the homer cannot officially be a pinch hit since he batted earlier in the inning 

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1975 – Coming back from an early 6-0 deficit, the Astros tie the Expos in the ninth on Cesar Cedeno’s leadoff blast into the center field tunnel. Montreal’s Mike Jorgensen doubles off Joe Niekro in the 12th to snap the tie. Doug Rader cracks his third double and fifth hit of the game before Enos Cabell doubles to tie it again. Milt May’s bloop eludes three Expos for the game-winner to give Houston an 8-7 triumph. 

ByTom

1975 – Coming back from an early 6-0 deficit, the Astros tie the Expos in the ninth on Cesar Cedeno’s leadoff blast into the center field tunnel. Montreal’s Mike Jorgensen doubles off Joe Niekro in the 12th to snap the tie. Doug Rader cracks his third double and fifth hit of the game before Enos Cabell doubles to tie it again. Milt May’s bloop eludes three Expos for the game-winner to give Houston an 8-7 triumph. 

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1975 – Doug Rader belts two homers and drives in five to pace an 11-7 triumph at Chicago’s Wrigley Field. Roger Metzger adds four hits while Bob Watson supplies three, including a home run. 

ByTom

1975 – Doug Rader belts two homers and drives in five to pace an 11-7 triumph at Chicago’s Wrigley Field. Roger Metzger adds four hits while Bob Watson supplies three, including a home run. 

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The Astros explode for eight runs in the seventh to topple the Padres, 8-2.

ByTom

1975 – The Astros explode for eight runs in the seventh to topple the Padres, 8-2. J.R. Richard starts the scoring with a two-run single. Roger Metzger ends it in the same manner. Jose Cruz has two hits in the inning. Richard tosses a five-hitter. 

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1975 – On the Dome’s 10th Anniversary, Houston drills the Braves with six runs in the fourth and eight more in the seventh for a 14-2 massacre. Doug Rader, Roger Metzger and Enos Cabell lead the assault with three hits apiece. 

ByTom

1975 – On the Dome’s 10th Anniversary, Houston drills the Braves with six runs in the fourth and eight more in the seventh for a 14-2 massacre. Doug Rader, Roger Metzger and Enos Cabell lead the assault with three hits apiece. 

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Setting the baseball fashion world on its ear, the Astros introduce the rainbow uniform to major league baseball, humbling the Braves in a 6-2 season opener. Jose Cruz homers in his first game as an Astro. 

ByTom

1975 – Setting the baseball fashion world on its ear, the Astros introduce the rainbow uniform to major league baseball, humbling the Braves in a 6-2 season opener. Jose Cruz homers in his first game as an Astro. 

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First baseman Lee May and outfielder Jay Schlueter are traded to Baltimore for infielders Enos Cabell and Rob Andrews

ByTom

1974 – First baseman Lee May and outfielder Jay Schlueter are traded to Baltimore for infielders Enos Cabell and Rob Andrews. Second baseman Andrews is the guy Houston wants in the deal. He would bat .249 with no homers in two seasons before being traded. Throw-in Cabell is the one who blossoms, becoming a regular for eight seasons as an Astro.