In the visitors’ clubhouse at Shea Stadium, Dodger Blue becomes black and blue when Steve Garvey confronts teammate Don Sutton about a Washington Post story in which the pitcher is critical of him. After the right-hander confirms he had made the comments, the argument becomes physical when an inappropriate remark is made about the first baseman’s wife.
1978 – Ken Forsch wins a pair of extra-inning contests against the Expos. Jose Cruz singles home the winning run in the 13th for a 4-3 victory in the opener after Reggie Baldwin tied it with a two-out single in the ninth. In the nightcap, Jesus Alou draws a bases-loaded walk for the game-winner in a 5-4, ten-inning triumph.
1978 – Despite committing a team-record seven errors, Houston explodes for six runs in the eighth inning to upend the Pirates, 6-5. Jesus Alou begins the frame with a double, his fourth hit of the night. Cesar Cedeno completes the rally with a bases-loaded single. Rick Williams gets the win in his major league debut.
1978 – J.R. Richard tosses three wild pitches in the seventh inning, wasting his own three-hitter in the process. His last errant one allows Larry Herndon to trot home with the only run in a 1-0 defeat by Bob Knepper and San Francisco. The wild pitches tie a record Richard had already tied once that season.
1978 – J.R. Richard fires his second-straight shutout in a 13-0 drubbing of the Braves. Jose Cruz is the batting star with four hits and six RBIs. Enos Cabell contributes three hits while Denny Walling launches his first major league home run.
1978 – J.R. Richard two-hits Philadelphia in a 5-0 shutout. He fans nine and allows two harmless singles. Bob Watson ‘s two-run homer paces the offense. Phillie catcher Bob Boone has a rough night, committing two errors and suffering five bruises before being tossed in an argument with umpire Bruce Froemming.
1978 – Reliever Tom Dixon singles home Julio Gonzalez in the 14th inning for a wild 5-4 victory in New York. It’s his first big league hit. Houston scores twice in the ninth to reach extra innings then takes the lead in the 12th on a two-run homer by Enos Cabell. Ken Forsch can’t hold the lead, setting up Dixon’s heroics.
1978 – A Hollywood ending helps Houston subdue the Dodgers, 8-6. With two on against Ken Forsch in the bottom of the ninth, Ron Cey lines to Bob Watson who steps on first to double off Reggie Smith. Watson spins and throws to Roger Metzger at second who beats Bill Russell to the bag to complete the game-ending triple play. Joe Ferguson’s three-run homer in the eighth had given the Astros their lead.
1977 – Outfielder Leon Roberts is traded to Seattle for infielder Jimmy Sexton. The versatile Sexton would bat .207 over the next two seasons as a reserve for the Astros.
1977 – Outfielder Jesus Alou is signed as a free agent. It is his second stint as an Astro. Out of the majors the past two years, the 36-year-old Dominican bats .308 over the next two seasons, primarily in pinch-hit duties.
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