Eleven years to the day that the club won their last title, the Astros clinch the NL Central Division

Pennant Winners

On September 25, 1997 — Eleven years to the day that the club won their last title, the Astros clinch the NL Central Division by beating the Cubs, 9-1. Houston manages to capture the flag despite being only five games over .500.

Brad Ausmus opens up a tight 2-1 duel with a three-run bomb off Jeremi Gonzalez in the seventh that starts a six-run uprising . Mike Hampton allows just four hits for his 15th win.