Craig Biggio becomes the first Houston catcher to bat leadoff in over twenty years
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Craig Biggio becomes the first Houston catcher to bat leadoff in over twenty years

ByThis Day in Baseball

1989 – Craig Biggio becomes the first Houston catcher to bat leadoff in over twenty years and it seems to work out. He homers and singles in an 8-1 victory at San Francisco. Another blast is the first big league bomb for Eric Anthony. Glenn Davis and Ken Caminiti also go yard. Mark Portugal hurls a three-hit complete game, just his second win as an Astro. 

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 1989 – The Astros end a 22-inning marathon with the Dodgers, 5-4, when Rafael Ramirez slaps the game-winner off emergency pitcher Jeff Hamilton to score Bill Doran. The hit glances off the glove of emergency first baseman Fernando Valenzuela, ending seven hours and fourteen minutes of action.  Houston and Los Angeles go extras again that afternoon. The Astros win, 7-6 in 13 innings, with emergency reliever Mike Scott’s game-ending sacrifice fly scoring Ramirez. 

ByTom

 1989 – The Astros end a 22-inning marathon with the Dodgers, 5-4, when Rafael Ramirez slaps the game-winner off emergency pitcher Jeff Hamilton to score Bill Doran. The hit glances off the glove of emergency first baseman Fernando Valenzuela, ending seven hours and fourteen minutes of action.  Houston and Los Angeles go extras again that afternoon. The Astros win, 7-6 in 13 innings, with emergency reliever Mike Scott’s game-ending sacrifice fly scoring Ramirez. 

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1989 – Glenn Davis drills a two-run, two-out homer in the bottom of the ninth to tie Pittsburgh. In the 12th, he reaches on an error by Bobby Bonilla and Rafael Ramirez drives him home for the 5-4 triumph. 

ByTom

1989 – Glenn Davis drills a two-run, two-out homer in the bottom of the ninth to tie Pittsburgh. In the 12th, he reaches on an error by Bobby Bonilla and Rafael Ramirez drives him home for the 5-4 triumph. 

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1989 – Mike Scott pitches seven innings of no-hit ball before Glenn Wilson singles to break it up. It is Pittsburgh’s only hit in a 3-0 Houston triumph, the third one-hitter of Scott’s career. Houston had tried to trade for Wilson earlier in the month but reached a snag when Alan Ashby, whom the Pirates wanted, vetoed the deal. Ashby is released soon afterwards. 

ByTom

1989 – Mike Scott pitches seven innings of no-hit ball before Glenn Wilson singles to break it up. It is Pittsburgh’s only hit in a 3-0 Houston triumph, the third one-hitter of Scott’s career. Houston had tried to trade for Wilson earlier in the month but reached a snag when Alan Ashby, whom the Pirates wanted, vetoed the deal. Ashby is released soon afterwards. 

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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. 

ByThis Day in Baseball

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. 

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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. 

ByTom

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. 

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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. 

ByTom

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. 

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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.

ByTom

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
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The Astros acquire veteran righthander Rick Rhoden from the Yankees for three minor leaguers

ByThis Day in Baseball

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.