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2003 – An emotional day in Houston ends with an 8-7 loss to the Braves. The Astros had earlier released starting shortstop Julio Lugo after his arrest on domestic violence charges the night before. Shane Reynolds, in his first Houston appearance since his sudden spring release, gives up five runs in five innings for Atlanta but Houston wastes a six-RBI performance by Lance Berkman when Mark DeRosa slams a two-run shot off Billy Wagner in the ninth. Expected to challenge for the division crown, the freefalling Astros drop their 14th game in their last 18. 

ByTom

2003 – An emotional day in Houston ends with an 8-7 loss to the Braves. The Astros had earlier released starting shortstop Julio Lugo after his arrest on domestic violence charges the night before. Shane Reynolds, in his first Houston appearance since his sudden spring release, gives up five runs in five innings for Atlanta but Houston wastes a six-RBI performance by Lance Berkman when Mark DeRosa slams a two-run shot off Billy Wagner in the ninth. Expected to challenge for the division crown, the freefalling Astros drop their 14th game in their last 18. 

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Brad Ausmus slugs a grand slam homer in the first inning and a solo shot in the 12th to carry the Astros over St. Louis

ByThis Day in Baseball

2003 – Brad Ausmus slugs a grand slam homer in the first inning and a solo shot in the 12th to carry the Astros over St. Louis, 6-5. Ausmus also guns down three runners, including Fernando Vina at third base for the game’s final out. Brad Lidge gets his first major league save. 

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2003 – Craig Biggio singles home the tying and winning runs in the bottom of the ninth, completing a five-run rally that stuns Colorado, 8-7. Four straight singles and a double by Orlando Merced set the stage for Biggio’s heroics. Billy Wagner is the surprise winner. 

ByTom

2003 – Craig Biggio singles home the tying and winning runs in the bottom of the ninth, completing a five-run rally that stuns Colorado, 8-7. Four straight singles and a double by Orlando Merced set the stage for Biggio’s heroics. Billy Wagner is the surprise winner. 

Former N.L. MVP Jeff Kent homers in his first at bat as a Houston Astro
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Former N.L. MVP Jeff Kent homers in his first at bat as a Houston Astro

ByTom

2003 – Former N.L. MVP Jeff Kent homers in his first at bat as a Houston Astro, leading a 10-4 mauling of the Rockies. Jeff Bagwell tops that with two home runs while Geoff Blum goes deep and drives in three. Roy Oswalt survives a shaky start for the victory. 

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2003 – Slugger Daryle Ward is traded to Los Angeles for minor league pitcher Ruddy Lugo, younger brother of infielder Julio Lugo. Ward teases fans with his home run potential but management loses patience after a five-year run where he swats 49 homers and bats .269 in 418 games. 

ByTom

2003 – Slugger Daryle Ward is traded to Los Angeles for minor league pitcher Ruddy Lugo, younger brother of infielder Julio Lugo. Ward teases fans with his home run potential but management loses patience after a five-year run where he swats 49 homers and bats .269 in 418 games. 

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2012 – Astros sign Carlos Pena to be the team’s first regular Designated Hitter, which the club will need with their move to the American League. Pena, the 2009 AL home run champ with Tampa Bay, bats .209 with eight homers before he was released. 

ByTom

2012 – Astros sign Carlos Pena to be the team’s first regular Designated Hitter, which the club will need with their move to the American League. Pena, the 2009 AL home run champ with Tampa Bay, bats .209 with eight homers before he was released. 

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Outfielder Richard Hidalgo is shot in the left arm during an attempted carjacking in his native Venezuela.

ByTom

2002 – Outfielder Richard Hidalgo is shot in the left arm during an attempted carjacking in his native Venezuela. Thankfully, his wounds are completely healed by the start of the season and it does not interrupt his career. 

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Craig Biggio, Brian Hunter and Lance Berkman launch homers in a 6-2 victory in Los Angeles. Roy Oswalt wins his 19th of the year. The suddenly dangerous Hunter knocks out Dodger hurler Kazuhisa Ishii with a line drive double off the pitcher’s head. Ishii suffers a concussion and a small skull fracture. Back in Houston, few notice since the NFL expansion Houston Texans are shocking the Dallas Cowboys, 19-10, in their very first regular season game. 

ByTom

2002 – Craig Biggio, Brian Hunter and Lance Berkman launch homers in a 6-2 victory in Los Angeles. Roy Oswalt wins his 19th of the year. The suddenly dangerous Hunter knocks out Dodger hurler Kazuhisa Ishii with a line drive double off the pitcher’s head. Ishii suffers a concussion and a small skull fracture. Back in Houston, few notice since the NFL expansion Houston Texans are shocking the Dallas Cowboys, 19-10, in their very first regular season game. 

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2002 – Jose Vizcaino smacks a leadoff homer on his way to a 5-for-5 night during a 6-1 victory in Cincinnati. Roy Oswalt wins his 15th but must wait until the ninth when Houston explodes for five runs to get the victory. They remain four games behind St. Louis in the Central Division chase. 

ByTom

2002 – Jose Vizcaino smacks a leadoff homer on his way to a 5-for-5 night during a 6-1 victory in Cincinnati. Roy Oswalt wins his 15th but must wait until the ninth when Houston explodes for five runs to get the victory. They remain four games behind St. Louis in the Central Division chase. 

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2002 – Pinch-hitter Gregg Zaun blasts a grand slam in the bottom of the ninth off Byung-Hyun Kim to stun the Diamondbacks, 7-4. Octavio Dotel is the surprise winner. Lance Berkman and Brad Ausmus also go deep. 

ByTom

2002 – Pinch-hitter Gregg Zaun blasts a grand slam in the bottom of the ninth off Byung-Hyun Kim to stun the Diamondbacks, 7-4. Octavio Dotel is the surprise winner. Lance Berkman and Brad Ausmus also go deep.