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Hal Lanier is named National League Manager of the Year in his rookie season which saw the Astros the surprise winners of the Western Division. New York Mets skipper Davey Johnson finishes second.

ByTom

1986 – Hal Lanier is named National League Manager of the Year in his rookie season which saw the Astros the surprise winners of the Western Division. New York Mets skipper Davey Johnson finishes second.

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1986 – Mike Scott tames the Mets again with a 3-1 triumph to even the N.L.C.S. at 2-2. Alan Ashby and Dickie Thon swat home runs to account for all of Houston’s runs . While not as sharp as his Game One win, Scott continues to master New York with a complete-game three-hit, five-strikeout victory 

ByTom

1986 – Mike Scott tames the Mets again with a 3-1 triumph to even the N.L.C.S. at 2-2. Alan Ashby and Dickie Thon swat home runs to account for all of Houston’s runs . While not as sharp as his Game One win, Scott continues to master New York with a complete-game three-hit, five-strikeout victory 

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Len Dykstra homers off Dave Smith in the bottom of the ninth to give the Mets a 6-5 decision over the Astros

ByThis Day in Baseball

1986 – Len Dykstra homers off Dave Smith in the bottom of the ninth to give the Mets a 6-5 decision over the Astros in New York. The Mets lead the best-of-seven N.L.C.S., 2-1. Houston had an early 4-0 advantage, keyed by a Bill Doran homer , but New York ties it with a three-run blast from Darryl Strawberry. 

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Mike Scott outduels Dwight Gooden for a 1-0 victory at the Astrodome in Game One of the N.L.C.S.

ByTom

1986 – Mike Scott outduels Dwight Gooden for a 1-0 victory at the Astrodome in Game One of the N.L.C.S. Scott fans 14 Mets on his way to a complete game shutout. Glenn Davis supplies all the offense with a second-inning home run . New York complains about Scott scuffing the ball but the umpires find nothing wrong. The next day, the Mets even the series with a 5-1 decision as Bob Ojeda outduels Nolan Ryan. 

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1986 – Mike Scott strikes out eight batters in a 2-1 victory over the Giants, finishing the season with 306 strikeouts. His bid for a second consecutive no-hitter is broken up with a leadoff double in the seventh by Will Clark. Houston rallies with a run in the ninth then a solo homer by Bill Doran for the game-winner. 

ByTom

1986 – Mike Scott strikes out eight batters in a 2-1 victory over the Giants, finishing the season with 306 strikeouts. His bid for a second consecutive no-hitter is broken up with a leadoff double in the seventh by Will Clark. Houston rallies with a run in the ninth then a solo homer by Bill Doran for the game-winner. 

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1986 – Nolan Ryan follows Jim Deshaies’ previous two-hitter with six innings of no-hit ball against the Giants before Mike Aldrete singles to break up the bid. Charley Kerfeld surrenders a hit in the ninth as the pair combine for a two-hit, 6-0 whitewash that clinches a tie for the N.L. West pennant. Glenn Davis belts his 30th home run of the season, the first Astro to hit that many since Jim Wynn in 1969. 

ByTom

1986 – Nolan Ryan follows Jim Deshaies’ previous two-hitter with six innings of no-hit ball against the Giants before Mike Aldrete singles to break up the bid. Charley Kerfeld surrenders a hit in the ninth as the pair combine for a two-hit, 6-0 whitewash that clinches a tie for the N.L. West pennant. Glenn Davis belts his 30th home run of the season, the first Astro to hit that many since Jim Wynn in 1969. 

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1986 – Billy Hatcher’s two-run single is the game-winner as the Astros stun the Padres, 5-3, with three runs in the ninth. Terry Puhl draws a bases-loaded walk off Goose Gossage to tie it. Dave Smith becomes the first Astro to reach 30 saves. 

ByTom

1986 – Billy Hatcher’s two-run single is the game-winner as the Astros stun the Padres, 5-3, with three runs in the ninth. Terry Puhl draws a bases-loaded walk off Goose Gossage to tie it. Dave Smith becomes the first Astro to reach 30 saves. 

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A two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth by Jose Cruz off Todd Worrell stuns the Cardinals, 7-6. 

ByTom

1986 – A two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth by Jose Cruz off Todd Worrell stuns the Cardinals, 7-6. Glenn Davis also homers and drives in three. Charley Kerfeld wins his ninth in relief. 

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1986 – Billy Hatcher homers in the 18th inning for an 8-7 victory in Chicago . The game had been suspended for darkness the previous day at 4-4 after 14 frames. Houston scores three in the 17th only to see the lead erased on a three-run bomb by Keith Moreland. In the regular game, Mike Scott fans twelve in an 8-2 victory, which includes a rare four-strikeout inning. The Astros push their lead to eight games over the Reds. 

ByTom

1986 – Billy Hatcher homers in the 18th inning for an 8-7 victory in Chicago . The game had been suspended for darkness the previous day at 4-4 after 14 frames. Houston scores three in the 17th only to see the lead erased on a three-run bomb by Keith Moreland. In the regular game, Mike Scott fans twelve in an 8-2 victory, which includes a rare four-strikeout inning. The Astros push their lead to eight games over the Reds. 

Nolan Ryan wins his 250th career game, a 7-1 victory over the Cubs. He allows just one hit over six innings before turning it over to Charley Kerfeld. Phil Garner notches four hits. Houston steals six bases in the victory. 
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Nolan Ryan wins his 250th career game, a 7-1 victory over the Cubs. He allows just one hit over six innings before turning it over to Charley Kerfeld. Phil Garner notches four hits. Houston steals six bases in the victory. 

ByTom

1986 – Nolan Ryan wins his 250th career game, a 7-1 victory over the Cubs. He allows just one hit over six innings before turning it over to Charley Kerfeld. Phil Garner notches four hits. Houston steals six bases in the victory.