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Cesar Cedeno collects 1000 career hit leading Houston sweep past Reds in doubleheader

ByTom

1976 – Cesar Cedeno drives in both game-winners in a doubleheader sweep of Cincinnati. Cesar goes 7-for-11 in the twinbill, including a single that is his 1,000th career hit  . His two-run bomb in the 14th off Rich Hinton wins the opener, 10-8. The 25 hits collected in the game ties a team record set just months earlier. Cedeno delivers an eighth-inning double off Fred Norman to plate the winning run in the 3-2 nightcap.

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The Astros set a team record with 25 hits in the nightcap of a doubleheader sweep of the Braves.

ByTom

1976 – The Astros set a team record with 25 hits in the nightcap of a doubleheader sweep of the Braves. 23 of the hits are singles in the 16-5 victory. Jerry Davanon delivers three hits and drives in five. Cliff Johnson contributes four. Houston scores eight in the first three frames to cruise to the sweep. Tom Griffin is the winner in the 5-2 opener.

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1976 – Joe Niekro tags his brother Phil for a home run in a 4-3 victory at Atlanta. It is the only homer in Joe’s 21-season major league career (973 ABs). The seventh-inning blast comes on a knuckleball that Joe sends over the left field fence. Ken Boswellcontributes three hits, including the game-winner. 

ByThis Day in Baseball

1976 – Joe Niekro tags his brother Phil for a home run in a 4-3 victory at Atlanta. It is the only homer in Joe’s 21-season major league career (973 ABs). The seventh-inning blast comes on a knuckleball that Joe sends over the left field fence. Ken Boswellcontributes three hits, including the game-winner. 

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1976 – Houston catchers combine for the cycle during a 10-5 beating of St. Louis. Cliff Johnson pounds four hits (two singles, a double and a homer) before twisting his ankle. Backup Skip Jutze triples in the seventh. 

ByTom

1976 – Houston catchers combine for the cycle during a 10-5 beating of St. Louis. Cliff Johnson pounds four hits (two singles, a double and a homer) before twisting his ankle. Backup Skip Jutze triples in the seventh. 

Rick Monday

Monday saves the FLAG

ByThis Day in Baseball

On April 25, 1976, Chicago Cubs center fielder Rick Monday saves an American flag from being burned by two fans at Dodger Stadium. During the fourth inning of the game, two fans race onto the field and head for the outfield, where they prepare to ignite an American flag. Monday runs in from center field and snatches the flag, prompting an ovation from the fans at Dodger Stadium.

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1976 – Ken Forsch has to save the Astros twice. Leading San Diego, 5-4 in the ninth, and the tying runner aboard, Forsch gets Ted Kubiak to ground to second for an apparent finish but catcher Cliff Johnson is ruled for interference. Kubiak is awarded first and Forsch must retire Merv Rettenmund, which he does on a fly to Greg Gross in right to seal the victory. 

ByTom

1976 – Ken Forsch has to save the Astros twice. Leading San Diego, 5-4 in the ninth, and the tying runner aboard, Forsch gets Ted Kubiak to ground to second for an apparent finish but catcher Cliff Johnson is ruled for interference. Kubiak is awarded first and Forsch must retire Merv Rettenmund, which he does on a fly to Greg Gross in right to seal the victory. 

Art Howe Houston Astros Signed 8x10 Photo W/coa
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The Astros obtain Art Howe from the Pittsburgh Pirates to complete a deal the previous month for infielder Tommy Helms

ByTom

The Astros obtain Art Howe from the Pittsburgh Pirates to complete a deal the previous month for infielder Tommy Helms. The versatile Howe is instrumental in Houston’s first division title and later manages the team for five seasons.